BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

JULY 4, 2023

Usually a pay rise is something you have to ask for, but at Goodstart Early Learning, the senior leaders have taken matters into their own hands and increased wages for most educators by a whopping 7%. 

This pay rise came into effect on 1 July, and it represents one of the largest wage rises offered by a major national employer. 

It’s also the biggest pay boost in Goodstart’s history, and one that the provider’s management team are very happy to offer.  

Goodstart Chief Executive, Dr Ros Baxter says, “We recognise and value our educators, and this significant pay rise is vital for our people in these trying economic times.”  

The 7% increase ensures that Goodstart educators are well ahead when it comes to award wages.  

Dr Baxter explains that, “Goodstart educators will now be paid at least 5.3% more than award rates in a sector where most educators are paid only award rates.” 

“Most of our educators will receive a 7% rise, and the starting salary for a graduate teacher at Goodstart will rise 5.75% to $80,000, more than new teachers are paid in most government schools across Australia.” 

Leah Hurtado is one Goodstart employee who’s very pleased to receive this pay rise.  

Leah has been with Goodstart for five years and is Senior Educator at Goodstart Somerton Park in South Australia. 

She says, “It feels good to be recognised by your employer for all your hard work, and it’s nice to know my pay’s going up by 7% without even having to ask for an increase.” 

“The pay rise is going to make covering my day-to-day living costs much easier as the price of everything goes up, from petrol, to groceries, my bills, and more.” 

The wage rise is great news for Leah, personally and financially, and she’s also hopeful that it will make the job she loves, more attractive for others. 

Leah says, “Being an educator is a really rewarding job, getting to support the growth and development of children and help them reach their milestones, and I think the pay rise is going to help make it a more appealing career option.” 

Goodstart’s management team know that higher wages are needed to entice great people into the sector, while recognising that families are facing financial challenges in these costly times.  

Dr Baxter says, “There is a national shortage of teachers and educators and we are doing what we can to be an employer of choice.  But we are also very conscious of the need to balance support for our hardworking staff with affordability for families.”  

“The wage rise is one step toward securing proper recognition of the value of the work of early childhood education. We would have liked to be able to do more, and fully close the wage gap between what educators are paid in early childhood education and what they are paid in schools.”  

“We are encouraged by the messages from the Federal Government about the importance of improving wages for early childhood education and care workers.  We look forward to continuing to work with the Government on options to provide further support to our team members.” 

In the meantime, it’s really great to see Australia’s largest not-for-profit childcare provider delivering a meaningful wage rise for its amazing educators, while keeping affordability for families front of mind.  

Thank you, Goodstart, and congratulations to Leah and everyone else who’s receiving better pay for their valued work.