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https://theconversation.com/why-are-child-carers-still-paid-less-than-retail-workers-and-how-can-we-help-fix-it-236563>
"So certain is the Australian government that childcare workers are being
poorly paid that it is handing them an extra 15% – 10% this December, followed
by a further 5% in December 2025 – and speaking as if there’s more to come.
It is calling the increases “interim” because it expects the Fair Work
Commission to offer at least that much. The commission has begun an
investigation into what “early childhood education and care workers” are
actually worth compared to workers in other occupations.
They’re not paid as much as most. On a list of the average hourly rates for
about 100 occupations prepared by the Bureau of Statistics, child carers are
the eleventh lowest. They earn an average of $31.20 an hour – less than
receptionists, who get $31.50, less than retail workers on $32, and less than
data entry workers on $33.10.
Yet the Fair Work Commission says childcare workers are required to
* provide a nurturing environment and interact with the children in such a way
that each individual child’s emotional needs are met
* provide environments and experiences which are appropriately stimulating and
engage with the children in such a way that each child’s cognitive, language
and creative development is stimulated
* observe babies and children sensitively and accurately and use a
developmental analysis of those observations to assist in planning and caring
appropriately for each child
* plan appropriate programs for individual children and groups of children for
all areas of their development and wellbeing
* guide children’s behaviour and manage situations where a child’s behaviour is
difficult and challenging
* communicate appropriately and sensitively with families in a way that is
supportive of the child’s well-being and development
The commission has given an indication of what it will do. It says it won’t
start its investigation with a “blank slate”. It will piggyback on the research
it used to address the undervaluation of aged care work.
That may be a good sign for childcare workers – in March, the commission
awarded most aged care workers more than 20%, and some as much as 28.5%."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
