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Union Educators secure historic pay rise

breaking union win! Government secures 15% pay rise

The federal government has just announced it will secure the 15% wage increase, ensuring 200,000 early educators won’t go backwards at the end of the year!

This historic win would have not been possible without thousands of educators across the country standing together, demanding wage justice, and being prepared to walk off the job to win this funding commitment!
 
This win is proof that when educators take collective action, we can win real change.

JOIN YOUR Early education UNION

Get your union pay guide

Join United Workers Union now to access the updated Pay Guide covering:

  • An FAQ answering all of your questions regarding the pay increases.
  • A breakdown of the wage increases depending on your role, qualification and award classification
  • A timeline showing exactly what dollar increase you should expect by which date

Get your personal pay projection now!

 

The Union Agreement and Gender undervaluation explained

The sector-wide Union Agreement has delivered a government-funded 15% pay increase for hundreds of thousands of Early Educators across Australia!

The UWU agreement now covers over 500 early education providers lifting working standards for over 70,000 early educators. This is union power!

After decades of advocacy, UWU members have successfully proven what we’ve always known: early childhood educators have been systematically undervalued and underpaid due to gender-based inequality in our workforce.

The Fair Work Commission has officially locked in wage increases of up to 27% for Early Childhood Educators across Australia! This means an additional 12% Pay Rise alongside the already available 15%.

The Commission Has Proposed:

  • 1 March 2026 – up to 5%
  • 30 June 2026 – up to 5%
  • 30 June 2027 – up to 5%
  • 30 June 2028 – up to 5%
  • 30 June 2029 – Any Remainder

This pay rise has been years in the making

The life-changing wage rise comes after years of tireless effort by union members to receive the pay and respect you deserve for the important work you do. 

A Cert III Educator on the Children’s Services Award receiving the 15% pay rise is now about $11,000 a year better off than they were in 2024!

This victory is only possible because of the voices of our Union Members who advocated for better pay and a safer sector.

UWU Educators made it happen

UWU acknowledges that we meet and work on the unceded lands of First Nations peoples.
We wish to pay respect to their Elders — past and present — and acknowledge the important role all First Nations peoples continue to play within Australia and in our union.

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© United Workers Union 2026. All Rights Reserved.

Authorised by T. Kennedy, United Workers Union, 833 Bourke St, Docklands, VIC 3008

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