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.
Importantly, this win applies only to degree‑qualified early childhood teachers working in state‑funded kindergartens under the Victorian Government Schools Agreement (VGSA). It does not extend to all educators in the sector, such as diploma or certificate‑qualified staff in long day care settings.
Why Victoria Was Able to Secure the Deal
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Union bargaining power: The AEU negotiated directly with the Victorian government, leveraging collective action including strikes.
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State investment: Victoria’s rollout of universal pre‑prep made teacher retention a political priority.
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Enterprise agreement system: Teachers are covered by a state enterprise agreement, allowing tailored negotiations beyond the national award.
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Political pressure: Industrial action and public campaigns created momentum for reform.
Why the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2010 Lags Behind
Early childhood teachers employed outside state‑funded kindergartens, for example, in private childcare centers—are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2010, a national framework set by the Fair Work Commission.
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Annual increases only: Pay rises occur each July in line with national wage reviews (typically 3–5%).
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No parity mechanism: The award does not link early childhood teacher pay to school teacher salaries.
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Fragmented coverage: Many small employers lack union representation, limiting bargaining leverage.
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Slow progress: Attempts to secure sector‑wide increases have stalled, leaving award‑covered teachers far behind their Victorian counterparts.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Victorian Enterprise Agreement | Educational Services Teachers Award 2010 |
|---|---|
| Covers degree‑qualified teachers in state‑funded kindergartens | Covers teachers in private childcare centres nationally |
| Up to 32–39% pay rise over 4 years | Annual July increase (~3–5%) only |
| Achieved pay parity with schools | No parity mechanism |
| Negotiated by AEU with Victorian government | Set nationally by Fair Work Commission |
| Includes workload relief (extra planning days) |
Limited to minimum conditions |
Implications for the Sector
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Two‑tier workforce: Degree‑qualified teachers in Victoria now enjoy competitive salaries, while those under the national award remain on modest wages.
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Retention challenge: Private centres risk losing qualified teachers to better‑paid state‑funded kindergartens.
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National inequity: The divide highlights the urgent need for reform in the early childhood workforce to ensure fair pay across all qualifications and settings.
Victoria’s win is historic for early childhood teachers, but it underscores a growing divide. While enterprise agreements can deliver transformative pay parity, teachers under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2010 remain locked into incremental annual increases, leaving much of the sector still struggling for recognition and fair wages.
Reference:
Education Union Reaches In-principle Agreement That Will Give Victorian Teachers Pay Rises Up To 32 Percent
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
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.