Today, Federal Education Minister Jason Clare and Minister for Early Childhood Education and Youth Jess Walsh announced that the Federal Government will work with state and territory governments to consider establishing a new national Early Education and Care Commission.
This proposal aligns with recommendations from the Productivity Commission’s 2024 inquiry into universal early childhood education and care, many of which the government has already begun implementing. It will also examine the role of the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) in the design of any future Commission.
The challenges facing the early childhood sector are well known. Workforce shortages, pay inequity, barriers to accessing training and excessive workloads continue to place enormous pressure on teachers and educators. Recent revelations of serious failures in child safety have been devastating for the overwhelming majority of dedicated professionals in the sector and have underscored the urgent need for a coordinated national approach.
The consideration of the Commission presents an important opportunity to refocus efforts on better supporting and prioritising non-profit community services. High-quality early childhood education is increasingly incompatible with profit-driven models, which too often fail to meet regulatory standards or provide the wages and conditions necessary for a stable, skilled workforce.
The effectiveness of any national body will depend on meaningful consultation with those who work directly with children every day. It must also prioritise reducing duplication and excessive compliance workloads, while lifting public recognition of the early childhood profession and affirming the status of early childhood employees as highly skilled professionals.
Today’s announcement commits to broad consultation with the sector, including unions. The IEU looks forward to engaging constructively in this process to ensure any future Commission strengthens the workforce and delivers safe, high-quality education and care for all children.