Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) (Extending Support and Strengthening Safety) Bill 2026; In Committee

Opened the debate

Senator O'Sullivan moved an amendment to insert provisions preventing grant conditions from requiring recipients to engage workers through specific workplace instruments or industrial arrangements. O'Sullivan argued that current eligibility requirements excluded many family day care and in-home care providers who operate as self-employed sole traders or independent contractors. O'Sullivan stated that forcing these providers to change their operating models would be commercially unviable and impose significant administrative costs. O'Sullivan contended that the government had announced inclusion for these sectors but retained conditions that effectively excluded much of the workforce, creating a two-tiered system.

Government response

Minister Walsh opposed the amendment, stating that the government had extended the worker retention payment to staff working in family day care and home care. Walsh argued that requiring an enforceable workplace instrument was a critical safeguard to ensure payments reached workers and maintained program integrity. Walsh noted that over 215,000 educators were already benefiting from the pay rise and that the total workforce pool was estimated at 274,000. Walsh highlighted additional support measures, including an $11 million in-home care sustainability package and $14 million in operational support for family day care through the Community Child Care Fund.