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At Goodstart Early Learning, we know that a strong, stable team is the foundation of every safe, high-quality early learning centre. When educators feel valued and supported, children thrive.
That’s why from 1 December 2025, all Goodstart centre-based roles will receive the second part of the Federal Government’s 15% wage increase - a further 5% rise based on the award rate. For a qualified Educator working full time, this equates to at least $53 extra per week, on top of Goodstart’s ongoing commitment to pay above the award.
Early Childhood Teachers at Goodstart now start on wage rates higher than in any public school in the country.
Goodstart has long advocated for a Federally funded wage rise for educators and was the first large provider in the country to sign up to the subsidy on behalf of our educators.
This milestone represents another major step forward in strengthening wages in early childhood education and ensuring our people are recognised for the vital work they do every day.
Goodstart’s CEO, Dr Ros Baxter, said stronger wages are helping reduce staffing pressures across the sector.
“The wage uplift is already having a positive impact across the early learning sector. Vacancies across the sector for educators have fallen 12% and for teachers 32%, since the wage subsidy was announced in May 2024,” Dr Baxter said.
“Services needing a staffing waiver, usually because they can’t find a teacher, have fallen by a third in the last two years. More stable centre workforces is an absolute necessity to deliver quality, safe learning and care for children.
“As a not-for-profit provider with sector-leading wages and strong learning and development pathways, we are seeing lower staff turnover and that’s important in keeping children safe.” she said.
Not for profit providers consistently maintain much lower rates of staffing waivers than for-profit providers (who are 50% more likely to have a waiver) and better stability than many services in regional and remote areas, where waiver rates remain almost twice as high as major cities.
Join a sector-leading team
If you’re passionate about early learning and looking for a career where you’re valued, supported, and rewarded through sector-leading wages and professional growth, Goodstart could be the perfect place to grow your career.
Explore opportunities to join a strong, stable team making a meaningful difference every day.
Visit careers.goodstart.org.au to find roles near you.