Early childhood educators across Tasmania are set to receive pay rises of up to $200 a week, as the federal government moves to tackle workforce shortages in the sector.
The $3.6 billion program delivers a 15% boost to workers on the award, with the first increases already flowing to educators.
Labor senator Richard Dowling said the investment recognised early education as a profession rather than babysitting.
“How you deal with kids at an early age is critical to how they develop as adults,” he said.
“Rewarding our early childhood educators with the pay they deserve, treating it as a serious profession is one of the most important steps we can take to address that issue.”
Lady Gowrie Tasmania chief executive Suzie Jones said the pay rise addressed the biggest barrier to filling childcare places.
“Pay rises are really important to recognise that there is a workforce shortage and that is the critical thing that holds back some of the utilisation and some of the spaces in services,” she said.
“To provide that pay rise, to give people the incentive to take on their qualifications, get their certificate, progress through to their diploma … that education appeals for educators.”
The organisation is also building a new centre in Latrobe to meet growing demand in the state’s north-west.
But Jones said standing up a qualified workforce remained the challenge.
Sim, an educator at Lady Gowrie’s South Hobart centre, said the pay rise showed the profession was finally being valued.
“As an educator, probably most people think that we are just kind of here to supervise children playing, changing their nappies, put them to sleep and provide food but in the real world for eight hours we are beyond that,” he said.
“We do have a big responsibility to make sure that little people … come home safe as well and behind that they learn something during that eight hours.”
Centre manager Kaylee said the funding would help retain staff feeling the pressure of rising living costs.
“Having that pay rise means that they not only want to stay – and we need them to stay in the industry … it’s showing people how important this role is,” she said.
To receive the funding, centres must cap fee increases at 4.4% over 12 months.
Senator Dowling said the condition ensured families weren’t hit with extra costs.
“This is a win for workers, a win for families and a real help with cost-of-living pressures,” he said.
