On Tuesday 18 March 2025, the Victorian Women’s Trust proudly presented the second of our Trust Women: Lunch Break Sessions, a six-part policy webinar series designed to break down some of the most important gender equality policy challenges facing Australia today.

The quality of early childhood education and care (ECEC) is a direct reflection of our values as a society. Yet in Australia, families continue to struggle with access and affordability, while early childhood educators remain among the lowest-paid workers in the country. In Early Childhood Education and Care: Making a Fairer System for Families and Children, our expert panel discussed how we can drive meaningful policy change, and create a fairer system for families, children, and workers alike.

Speakers: 

• Maddy Butler is Campaign Director at The Parenthood
• Luara Ferracioli is a philosopher, researching children’s wellbeing at the University of Sydney
• Moderator: Mary Crooks AO, Executive Director of the Victorian Women’s Trust

Transcript

Background: Albanese Government Early Childhood Education and Care Policy Initiatives

• Capped Childcare Fees (New commitment): Parents to pay no more than $10–$20 per day for early learning.
• $1 Billion Early Education Fund (From July 2025): Supports 160 new or expanded centres, focusing on regional areas and not-for-profits.
• 3-Day Guarantee (From Jan 2026): Ends the Activity Test, ensuring all children receive at least 3 days of subsidised early education per week.
• Workforce Investment: 15% pay rise for early educators (rolling out now).
• Service Cost Pricing: A new framework to assess and regulate costs.

Key Takeaways: The Future of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)

1. High-Quality ECEC Benefits Everyone

• Early childhood education is essential for children’s development, learning, and well-being.
• Access to quality ECEC supports working families and boosts the economy.
• The current system is not universally accessible or affordable, leaving many families without options.

2. The ECEC Workforce is Underpaid and Undervalued

• Early educators have long faced low wages and poor working conditions, leading to staff shortages.
• A recent 15% pay increase helped reduce job vacancies, but more investment is needed.
• Cultural attitudes often fail to recognise early educators as essential professionals.

3. Political Leadership is Critical for Change

• The Prime Minister has prioritised ECEC as a key policy issue.
• Ministers Jason Clare (Education) and Anne Aly (Early Childhood Education) are leading government efforts.
• Shadow Ministers Angie Bell and Darren Chester influence the opposition’s stance on ECEC.
• Independent MPs and a potential minority government could play a decisive role in reforms.

4. ECEC Needs a Child-Centred Approach

• Policies should focus on children’s best interests, not just economic outcomes.
• Kids should be seen as equal citizens with rights, including access to quality education.
• A well-funded, accessible ECEC system could make Australia the best place in the world for children.

5. How You Can Help Advocate for Change

• Follow ‘The Parenthood’ for updates and advocacy opportunities.
• Challenge misconceptions—ECEC is about education, not just babysitting.
• Contact your MP to push for better funding and support for educators.
• Recognise and support early educators in your community.

Conclusion

ECEC is not just a childcare issue — it’s an essential public good that benefits children, families, and the economy. With better funding, workforce support, and policy reform, Australia can build a world-class early education system that gives every child the best start in life.

Further Resources

The Parenthood

A Flourishing Childhood: The Future of Early Childhood Education and Care in Australia – Sydney Social Sciences and Humanities Advanced Research Centre White Paper

At What Cost – Podcast

Philosophy of Child Rearing – Podcast

Thrive by Five – Campaign

Betrayal of Trust: Australia’s Childcare Crisis – Four Corners

Winding back childcare “Activity Test” a seismic win for children, equity & nation – The Parenthood

The Minefield ‘What does it mean to be a moral parent?’ – Podcast

From February to June 2025, we’ll host expert-led discussions on key issues such as nuclear energy, early childhood education, abortion access, housing, youth mental health, and tech-facilitated abuse. Each session will offer insights from leading thinkers, advocates, and policy experts, helping us better understand the blockers to progress and, more importantly, the pathways forward. Learn more about our upcoming webinars. They’re all free but registration is essential.