16/06/2026 – 13:47

It Takes A Village (ITAV), peak body for community-based education and care services, welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement to extend the Worker Retention Payment for a further 2 years.

Services, staff and families now have certainty that professional wages will continue, without increased costs for families.

The Worker Retention Payment has been one of the most successful investments into the education and care sector in many years. Delivering professional wages for over 200,000 educators and teachers and reducing critical workforce shortages in record time.

It has been the driving factor in improving quality and safety for children in early education – reducing staffing waivers and increasing consistent staffing.

This incredible impact shows that investing in professional wages helps families access quality early childhood education and care.

ITAV was proud to represent community not-for-profit services in the negotiation of the first national supported bargaining agreement that delivered this 15% pay rise. We have assisted over 3,000 providers to pass this to their staff through our dedicated Workplace Relations Team.

Quotes attributed to It Takes A Village CEO, Daniela Kavoukas:

“Our community service members consistently tell us what a difference this investment has made to the lives of their staff. On average, services would lose one in three staff every year, now educators can afford to stay in the jobs that they love.”

“I celebrate the Federal Government supporting education and care for the next two years and recognising the contribution of educators across Australia. This sends a strong message that education and care is a career where you make a difference in the lives of children every day, and where your work is valued.”

Background

It Takes A Village (formerly Community Child Care Association) is the national voice for community-based education and care services. They support long day care, OSHC, kindergarten, pre-prep, family day care and occasional care educators, teachers, leaders, coordinators and directors. ITAV negotiated the first national supported bargaining agreement on behalf of not-for-profit early education and care providers. This process was the catalyst for the Federal Government’s $3.6 billion commitment to fund a 15% increase in early childhood wages through the Worker Retention Payment.

Interview opportunity

•  It Takes A Village CEO, Daniela Kavoukas is available for interview in Melbourne or online.

Media contact

Danae de Kretser, Communications and Marketing Manager

ddekretser@itav.org.au | (03) 9486 3455