Daily Brief — Australian Education
Thursday, 13 August 2026 · 05:11 AEST
The government introduces legislation to lock in a 15% pay rise for early childhood educators, with $3.6 billion in additional funding and new safety standards tied to Child Care Subsidy payments from July 2027. This move has led to a significant increase in job vacancies and a reduction in visa refusal rates.
Top of the brief
Clare introduces legislation to formally lock in the 15% pay rise for early childhood educators — amending the Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) Act 2024 with $3.6 billion in additional funding and a new condition tying Child Care Subsidy payments to compliance with national safety standards from July 2027 (12 August). Early educators will receive $255 more per week and early childhood teachers $410 more per week; since the pay rise was announced, 20,000 additional educators have entered the workforce and job vacancies have fallen by more than 31%, while 95% of services currently meet safety standards and families will save approximately $1,500 over two years. Clare: "Turns out if you pay people more, more people want to do the job." (Clare, 12 August)
Sector data
Standing figures: 2026 NPL 295,000 (+25,000 on 2025); visa refusal rates 69% Nepal, 42% India (early 2026); domestic commencements 413,133 (+4.3% YoY); $50m over-enrolment fund; $50m Structural Adjustment Fund.
Diary
17–18 November 2026 — TEQSA 2026 Conference, fully virtual.
19 May 2027 — ASQA 12-month VET/ELICOS registration pause expires.