The 2026–27 Federal Budget continues the government’s push toward universal early childhood education and care, with key measures including a 15% educator pay rise, expansion of paid parental leave to six months, new inclusion support funding, and consultation on a national Early Education and Care Commission. These updates directly affect educators in long day care, OOSH, and family day care by reshaping workforce conditions, compliance, and child development supports.

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.

Australia’s largest private childcare operator, G8 Education, has announced the closure of 40 centres nationwide, leaving thousands of families and educators facing uncertainty. The closures, spanning Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia, represent nearly 10% of G8’s 395-centre network.

On Saturday, 9 May 2026, Fire and Rescue NSW will welcome families across the state to its annual Open Day. From 10am to 2pm, local fire stations will open their doors, offering a rare chance to meet firefighters, climb aboard fire trucks, and learn how simple steps like maintaining a working smoke alarm can save lives.

On 27 February 2026, Australia’s early childhood education sector entered a new era of accountability and child protection. The commencement of Part 6A of the National Law introduced strict bans on personal devices, mandatory child safety training, and a legal requirement that every decision must prioritise children’s well-being.

Goodstart Early Learning Albany recently hosted a magical Date Night that brought smiles to children and gave families a much‑needed chance to relax and reconnect.

The centre came alive after hours, with children enjoying a hearty spaghetti dinner, fun games, and a cosy movie to wind down. The atmosphere was warm, relaxed, and filled with laughter, a reminder of how special community events can be.

The Professional Development Subsidy – National Child Safety Training will be open for applications on 28 April 2026, giving providers the opportunity to strengthen staff skills and support professional growth. These subsidies are paid directly to providers, who then pass the funding on to staff. Individual staff members cannot apply themselves, so it’s important to talk with your service leadership if you think you may be eligible.

NSW employers may soon face fines of up to nearly $100,000 per breach for workplace bullying and other psychosocial harms, under new SafeWork reforms aimed at strengthening mental health protections in the workplace. The reforms include deploying specialised inspectors and investing heavily in enforcement to ensure compliance.