Negotiation is not just about money; it’s about recognition. As an ECT, you bring expertise, leadership, and stability to services. By approaching wage discussions with confidence and professionalism, you can ensure their contributions are valued and sustained.

Victorian early childhood teachers have won a 32% pay increase over four years, a landmark deal that finally places them on parity with school teachers. The agreement, reached between the Australian Education Union (AEU) and the Victorian government, follows years of campaigning and industrial action. Some teachers will see rises of up to 39%, with immediate boosts of 13–16.7% this year.

The following article provides information on Expectations, Documentation Requirements, Tips and Hacks to help you navigate within the work environments as a first-time ECT graduate. 

The Recognition As An ‘Equivalent Early Childhood Teacher’ transitional measure was reviewed by the ACECQA Board, which has decided to extend this measure until the end of 2027. 

With the impact of COVID -19 and well as shortages of ECT and qualified Educators, what do services do when an Educator is absent or when a temporary replacement of ECTs is required due to staff shortages or illness.  The following explains how to ensure staff ratios are compliant when an ECT is absent, no ECT is present at the service, an ECT has not completed their qualification and more. 

The Fair Work Commission has announced a 5.75% increase in minimum wages following its 2023 Annual Wage Review. The increase will apply to base rates of pay from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2023.

In response to the Royal Commission regarding institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, The Teacher Accreditation Act 2004 has been amended. From now on the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) will be making decisions about teacher accreditation at all levels, including the early childhood sector.

For ECT's working in early childhood services, they are on the Educational Services Teachers Award and there are 5 Classification Levels which determines their rate of pay.  

Early Childhood Teachers (ECTs) play a vital role in leading curriculum and pedagogy in early learning settings. Regulation 272 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations sets out the minimum number of ECTs required in centre‑based services with 25 or more preschool‑aged children.

When working as a qualified early childhood teacher (with a university degree) within a service, your rate of pay will come from the Educational Services Teachers Award, 2020. This award is specifically for early childhood teachers employed as the ECT in their centre.