ECEC Wages and the Worker Retention Payment

Question

1. What evidence did the government rely on to conclude that a retention payment, rather than direct wage reform, was the appropriate policy response? 2. What modelling was undertaken to estimate the impact of the payment on educator turnover rates? 3. What measurable outcomes does the department expect from the policy over 12 months, 24 months and beyond? 4. What analysis has the government used to determine whether the payment has been successful? 5. What workforce vacancy and attrition data informed the design of the payment? 6. What was the annual turnover rate in the ECEC workforce at the time the policy was developed? 7. What consultation occurred with providers, unions and educators prior to finalising the policy? 8. Which unions were consulted during the policy formation? 9. Were the unions supportive of the policy? 10. When was the idea of a grant decided upon in government, and when was it put to the bargaining teams? 11. What specific feedback did each union give on the retention payment, and were any changes suggested? 12. Did the department examine comparable retention or wage-support schemes internationally? 13. Were alternative policy options considered, including permanent award increases or direct operational funding? 14. Did the department consider whether temporary payments could create uncertainty for workers? 15. Why were the final eligibility criteria selected? 16. Were any educator groups excluded from the payment? If so, why? 17. How does the policy address workforce challenges in regional and remote services? 18. Was modelling undertaken on the impact for not-for-profit versus for-profit providers? 19. What is the government's plan once the payment period concludes? 20. Why wasn't the ongoing funding announced in the recent Budget? Some educators are going to be seeing a pay cut of 10-15% once the funding is removed. 22. Is the Government exploring other funding options? 23. Has there been any modelling undertaken for the impact on the industry/ how many places will be lost when this funding disappears? 24. Does the government expect providers to absorb wage increases after Commonwealth support ends? 25. If there is a significant Award increase for educators will that cost be passed onto parents from a provider fee increase to make up the shortfall? 26. How many Early Childhood Educators in Australia are covered directly by the Children's Services Award? 27. What plans does the government have for maintaining wage increases for educators covered by local government awards and the Educational Services (Teachers)?, Noting these awards are not currently being reviewed for gender pay evaluation. 28. What discussions, if any, has the government had with stakeholders on the prospects of a gender pay review for local government, health, and higher education awards which also cover early childhood educators? 29. Was there any analysis of the risk of a workforce "cliff" once payments cease? 30. Does the government view the Workforce Retention Payment as a temporary stabilisation measure or as the beginning of broader wage reform in ECEC? 31. Does the department accept that low wages remain a structural issue in the ECEC workforce? 32. What advice did the department provide ministers regarding long-term workforce sustainability? 33. Was the WRP designed primarily to support educator retention or to support the rollout of broader childcare reforms? 34. To what extent was the WRP linked to the government's broader productivity and participation agenda?

Answer

Please see the attached PDF.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000336.pdf (opens in a new tab)