Pay Increase for Early Educators Recognises Value of Sector and Importance of Safeguarding

YWCA Canberra welcomes the announcement by the Australian Government to continue to fund a 15 per cent pay rise for Early Education and Care Educators. The Worker Retention Payment, originally a two‑year program through to November 2026, has now been extended by the Australian Government to 30 June 2028. This investment will bring security and wage reform to a sector that plays a critical role in the economy and in broader child development.

As a feminist non-profit organisation committed to advancing gender equality and supporting women, children, and families, YWCA Canberra operates high-quality early learning services that prioritise community benefit over profit. We employ over 400 staff to provide early education and care as well as school age care for more than 2,600 children across our services.

“Early childhood education is one of the most highly feminised and lowest paid industries in Australia. As a not-for profit provider of early childhood services, YWCA Canberra has always proudly paid our staff above the industry award.”

– Frances Crimmins, YWCA Canberra Chief Executive Officer

YWCA Canberra have been longstanding advocates for pay equality for the early education sector and see improved wage settings as a core feature of closing the wage gap and creating a sustainable sector that minimises staff turnover and prioritises child wellbeing.

This announcement will typically mean, when combined with the minimum wage rises, a $255/week increase in the wages of a full-time educator and $410/week for an early childhood teachers who are paid under the relevant modern awards compared to December 2024 when the pay rises commenced under the Worker Retention Payment funding support.

We also welcome the decision by the Government to tie the payment to services meeting the national safety standard. This decision reflects the importance of safeguarding and recognises that non-profit providers routinely outperform for-profit services under the national quality framework.

“This distinction between for-profit and non-profit providers isn’t coincidental; it reflects the inherent differences between services motivated by profits and those motivated by values. This decision finally recognises this” – Ms Crimmins said.

YWCA Canberra media contact:

Eleanor Sander O’Hearn
Executive Director Communications Advocacy and Engagement
eleanor.sanderohearn@ywca-canberra.org.au
0475 240 101

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Chiara Will

Chiara Will is the Director of School Age Care at YWCA Canberra, bringing over 13 years of experience across the early learning and school age care settings. Throughout her career, she has been committed to creating high-quality programs that support children to feel safe, connected, and confident as they learn, play, and grow.

Passionate about child safety and wellbeing, Chiara believes every child has the right to experience environments that are nurturing, inclusive, and responsive to their individual needs. She is a strong advocate for continuity in children’s learning and development, recognising the importance of meaningful partnerships between families, schools, educators, and the broader community in supporting positive outcomes for children.

Chiara is equally passionate about developing and empowering educators. She is committed to mentoring teams, fostering reflective practice, and supporting ongoing professional growth to build confident and capable educators who can make a lasting difference in children’s lives.

Shane McAlpine

Shane is Director of Children’s Services (ECEC) at YWCA Canberra, overseeing eight early learning services with 24 years of experience in the early childhood sector. He brings an extensive understanding of education and care, current practices, and regulatory requirements, with a robust approach to developing high-quality practitioners. 

Shane supports the day-to-day operation of educational practices and curriculum across all our early learning centres, with quality and pedagogical practice at the forefront. He plays a critical role in providing escalation support and mentorship to centre directors and educators alike. 

His professional passions include children’s rights, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusion and teaching perspectives, and advocacy for the early childhood profession. He is an active representative on the ACT committee of Early Childhood Australia. 

As a father of two children who have experienced the early years system firsthand, Shane brings a deeply personal understanding of the challenges families face in balancing work and parenting. This perspective shapes his inclusive, stakeholder-centred approach to service delivery across every centre he works with. 

Katherine Hellwig

Katherine is the Executive Director of Children’s Services at YWCA Canberra, bringing over 23 years of extensive experience in delivering education and care in ACT and the surrounding areas of the city. Her career spans both not-for-profit and commercial providers, highlighting her versatile and adaptable nature. 

For over 11 years, Katherine has held an executive role within a not-for-profit organisation that experienced significant growth in its early education and care portfolio. Her responsibilities included managing programs and initiatives that fostered engagement within the local community. 

Katherine began her career as an educator, and this hands-on experience has given her a profound understanding of the critical role educators play in the lives of children and families. Her qualifications include an Advanced Diploma of Children’s Services, an Undergraduate Certificate in Service Management, and a Diploma of Leadership and Management. In 2018, Katherine was honoured with the Community for Children’s Award by the ACT Children’s Week Committee, recognising her dedication and impact on the community.  

Katherine is driven by a strong pedagogical belief that all children have the right to access quality early learning in their first five years of life. She focuses on delivering high-quality education and care in both early education and after school care programs, ensuring children receive the best start in life.  

Frances Crimmins

Frances Crimmins is the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Canberra and has led the organisation since 2013, driving significant growth, high-quality integrated service delivery, and stronger corporate efficiency. Under her leadership, the non-profit organisation has become a courageous community advocate, ensuring the needs of vulnerable communities are seen, heard, and addressed locally and nationally. 

Frances brings a diverse background spanning the private and not-for-profit sectors across business, hospitality, healthcare, and community services. She remains a passionate advocate for policy initiatives addressing the root causes of women’s housing insecurity, homelessness, gender inequality, and gender-based violence. 

Frances also currently serves as Chair of Homelessness Australia and sits on the ACT Work Health Safety Advisory Council. Her former board roles include ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS), WESNET, the ACT Ministerial Advisory Committee for Women, and Co-Chair of Anti-Poverty Week in the ACT. 

Her leadership has been recognised with an Edna Ryan Award (2015), ACT Leader of the Year at the Australian Leadership Excellence Awards (2016), and selection into the inaugural Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA) program (2021). Frances regularly represents YWCA Canberra at the United Nations Commission for the Status of Women in New York. 

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