Early childhood wages increase for workers

JAG submitted a Grant Application to secure funding for staff wage increases on 7 November 2024.

JAG's application includes a recommendation for wage increases for all our Service Delivery team members.

See our ECEC Updates section for the latest information.

What does this mean for JAG staff?​

Wage increases for Services Team members, both permanent and casual:

• 10% on top of the current national base award rate first pay period December 2024​

• An additional 5% effective first pay period December 2025​

JAG's grant application includes all Service team members, Educators, Coordinators, Service Managers and Regional Managers.

For casual Educators:

• If you need clarity about how your wage increase works with your casual loading, please email ececgrant@junioradventuresgroup.com.au and we can give you individual detailed advice

We want to recognise the important work that our teams do every day as they Help Today's Children Navigate Their Tomorrow.

ECEC updates

4 March - Payments

We are on track to deliver the following:

• Pay increases on the relevant award rate in the 12 March payroll run.

• Back Pay lump sum to be processed and received by early April.

• New pay rates commence on 24 February.

• Please read our revised FAQs for more information

• If you have any questions, please speak with your manager, or email ececgrant@junioradventuresgroup.com.au​

13 January - Grant Application

• JAG has achieved the ECEC Grant! We achieved our goal before Christmas 2024 of having 95% IFAs signed, and we made our application for the ECEC grant.

16 December - Wage Increase

• Unfortunately, Government delays will mean that Grant Funding in unlikely to come through until the new year.

• We will pass on the pay rises as soon as we can when we get the funding and wage increases will be backdated to the first week of December.

2 December 2024

• Additional resources have been added to the page: ECEC Grant FAQs.

28 November 2024

• Communications to staff about the early childhood wages increase.

• To get the wage increase EVERY Service Team member MUST sign an Individual Flexibility Arrangement (IFA). It’s a mandatory Government requirement for the wage increase.​

• 95% of Service Team members need to sign an IFA for JAG to get the Grant funding.

7 November 2024

• JAG submitted Grant Application and are now working through the process of finalising the Submission to successful conclusion.

ECEC website resources:

• https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/workforce/wages

• https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment-conditions/flexibility-in-the-workplace/individual-flexibility-arrangements