Increase Pay Rates and New Classification Structure For Cert 3 and Diploma Qualified Educators From 2026

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.

1. A New Classification Structure for Educators (CSE Levels 1–8)

The award now uses a simplified, clearer classification structure for Children’s Services Employees (CSE). These levels reflect qualifications, experience, and responsibilities.

New CSE Levels

This structure replaces the previous mix of Level 1–6, 3A, 4A, 5A, and other transitional classifications.

2. Updated Minimum Rates of Pay

The determination introduces new minimum weekly and hourly rates for each CSE level.

Examples of new minimum rates

• Level 1 – Introductory Educator: $995.40/week or $26.19/hr
• Level 2 - Educator: $1025.90/week or $27.00/hr
• Level 3 – Qualified Educator: $1121.80/week or $29.52/hr
• Level 4 - Experienced Educator: $1197.10/week or $31.50/hr
• Level 5 – Advanced Educator: $1263.30/week or $33.24/hr
• Level 6 - Room Leader: $1321.50/week or $34.78/hr
  
• Level 7 - Assistant Educator: $1381.90/week or $36.37/hr
• Level 8 – Director: $1593.50/week or $41.93/hr

These rates reflect the Commission’s findings that early childhood work has been historically undervalued.

3. New Rules for Cooks Working Toward or Holding ECEC Qualifications

Cooks who:

• hold, or are working toward, an approved ECEC qualification and
• may be required to work directly with children to maintain ratios

must now be paid according to the CSE classification that matches their qualification level.

Examples

• Cook working toward Cert III with 12 months’ experience → Level 1
• Cook with Cert III → Level 3
• Cook with Diploma → Level 5

This ensures qualified or qualifying cooks are recognised for their contribution to educator‑to‑child ratios.

4. Updated Pay Rates for Support Workers

Support workers (not including cooks covered above) have updated minimum rates:

5. Translation Arrangements: How Current Staff Move to the New Levels

A new Schedule I outlines how employees classified under the old structure will translate to the new one.

Examples

• Level 3.1 → Level 3 (Qualified Educator)
• Level 3.3 with 4+ years’ experience → Level 4 (Experienced Educator)
• Level 4A employees → Level 6 (Room Leader)
• Level 5A employees → Level 7 (Assistant Director)
• Level 6 employees → Level 8 (Director)

This ensures no one is disadvantaged by the structural change.

6. Retained Minimum Rates for Certain Employees

Some employees will keep higher historical rates if those rates exceed the new minimums. This applies to:

• Level 3.3 educators
• Directors at Levels 6.4, 6.5, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9

This protects long‑serving staff from pay reductions.

7. Transitional Provisions and Dates

• The determination operates from 1 March 2026.
• It applies to each employee from the first full pay period on or after that date.
• Some transitional pay protections (e.g., for former Level 4A employees) end after 30 June 2026.

What This Means for Educators and Services

For educators

• Clearer career pathways
• More transparent expectations
• Improved minimum rates
• Recognition of qualifications and experience

For leaders and providers

• Need to review all staff classifications
• Update payroll systems before March 2026
• Communicate changes to staff
• Ensure cooks and support workers are correctly classified
• Maintain records for employees with retained rates

Further Information

Provisional FWC Decision Targets Gender Pay Discrepancies Under the Children’s Services Award

Reference: 
Gender Undervaluation Priority Awards Review Decision