Early Childhood Educator Salary & Growth
Salary Expectations (2025 Estimates)
| Qualification Level | Weekly Rate* | Hourly Rate* | Annualised Estimate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate III (Assistant Educator) | ~$1,105 – $1,277 | ~$29 – $33 | ≈ $57,000 – $66,000 |
| Diploma (Lead Educator) | ~$1,203 – $1,405 | ~$32 – $36 | ≈ $62,000 – $73,000 |
| Early Childhood Teacher (Degree) | ~$1,295 – $1,293 | ~$26 – $28 | ≈ $67,000 – $95,000 (up to $110k in high-demand regions) |
*Award benchmarks based on Children’s Services Award and includes pending pay rises & worker retention payments. Visit the following links for reference:
Industry Growth & Demand Outlook
- Australia faces a shortfall of over 21,000 qualified early childhood educators as of 2024, with national workforce needing ~8% growth just to meet current demand. Visit the link
- ECEC workforce has surged from 168,500 in 2014 to 257,000 in 2024, one of the fastest-growing care sectors in the country. Visit the link
- Government wage increases:
- 10% increase from Dec 2024
- Additional 5% from Dec 2025
Results in significant uplift and improved wage parity.Visit the links for more details
The Australian, The Sector, NEWS.com.au
Sources for Top Hiring Regions in Early Childhood Education
| Region(s) | Source / Reference |
|---|---|
| Shepparton, Mildura, Bendigo (VIC) | Mitchell Institute – Victoria University — Mapped over 50% of VIC LGAs as “childcare deserts” |
| Western Sydney, Dubbo, Tamworth (NSW) | NSW Government Workforce Strategy — Identified priority growth areas for ECEC staff |
| Toowoomba, Cairns, Townsville (QLD) | Jobs Queensland ECEC Workforce Report — Reports strong regional growth in demand, especially in Northern QLD |
| Bunbury, Kalgoorlie (WA) | WA Skills Priority Occupation List (SPOL) — ECEC on the critical shortage list for outer regional WA |
| Eyre Peninsula, Mt Gambier (SA) | Adelaide Now article — 600+ childcare placements unavailable due to staff shortages |
| Devonport, Launceston (TAS) | Tasmanian Government Early Years Plan — Forecasts upskilling and recruitment push in North & North-West TAS |
| Alice Springs, Katherine (NT) | NT Department of Education – ECEC Review — Remote and Indigenous-focused support program growth cited |