Early childhood services often require staff to arrive before their rostered start time, to set up rooms, prepare learning materials, or ensure safety checks are complete. But when does this preparation count as paid work?

The Fair Work Commission has introduced important changes to how cooks are classified and paid under the Children’s Services Award 2010. These changes recognise that many cooks in early childhood settings perform responsibilities that go beyond food preparation and contribute directly to children’s care and safety.

Over the next five years, educators across the sector will see steady, structured wage increases designed to lift pay to the new benchmark rates for each qualification level. These increases begin with a 5% rise in March 2026, followed by annual increases each 30 June, and finish with a small top‑up adjustment in the final year to ensure every educator reaches their correct new classification rate.

This staged approach gives educators a clear, predictable pathway to their new pay level and ensures that both Certificate III and Diploma‑qualified educators move confidently toward the final correct rate by 30 June 2029.

On 10 December 2025, the Fair Work Commission issued a major determination affecting the Children’s Services Award 2010 (MA000120). These changes form part of the Gender-Based Undervaluation Priority Review, recognising long‑standing inequities in early childhood. 

The updated award will come into operation on 1 March 2026 and will apply from the first full pay period on or after that date.

This article breaks down the key changes so educators, cooks, support workers, room leaders, and directors can understand what the new structure means for them.

In April 2025, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) issued a provisional decision recommending staged award increases to address the undervaluation of early childhood educators; however, a final ruling has not yet been handed down.

Since July 2024, the FWC has been examining the gender undervaluation case affecting children services employees (CSEs) under the Children Services Award. The FWC released its provisional view and full decision, which includes a new classification structure and wage increases across levels. 

From the 1st of January 2025, intentional underpayment of wages by employers will be criminalized as part of reforms to workplace rules. 

From next year, employees will be able to access 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave in a 12-month period. This includes casual and part-time employees.

The Fair Work Commission has announced a 4.75% wage increase. This applies to all minimum and award wages, including the Children’s Services Award and the Educational Services Teachers Award. For children’s services, this rise was already anticipated as part of the sector’s five-year staged plan, while for ECTs it represents a direct adjustment to align with inflationary pressures.