Goodstart Early Learning, Australia’s largest not for profit provider of early learning and care, will increase wages for most educators by 7% on July 1, one of the largest wage rises offered by a major national employer.
Goodstart Chief Executive Dr Ros Baxter said the wage rise – the largest in Goodstart’s history – recognised the crucial role that Goodstart’s educators played in providing the high-quality early learning that makes such a huge difference to children’s learning outcomes.
“We recognise and value our educators, and today’s significant pay rise is vital for our people in these trying economic times,” Dr Baxter said.
“Goodstart educators will now be paid at least 5.3% more than award rates in a sector where most educators are paid only award rates.
“Most of our educators will receive a 7% rise and the starting salary for a graduate teacher at Goodstart will rise 5.75% to $80,000, more than new teachers are paid in most government schools across Australia.
“There is a national shortage of teachers and educators and we are doing what we can to be an employer of choice. But we are also very conscious of the need to balance support for our hardworking staff with affordability for families.
“The wage rise we are announcing today is one step toward securing proper recognition of the value of the work of early childhood education. We would have liked to be able to do more, and fully close the wage gap between what educators are paid in early childhood education and what they are paid in schools.
“We are encouraged by the messages from the Federal Government about the importance of improving wages for early childhood education and care workers.
We look forward to continuing to work with the Government on options to provide further support to our team members.”