The short answer
Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) (Extending Support and Strengthening Safety) Bill 2026: what it proposes
The Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) (Extending Support and Strengthening Safety) Bill 2026 is a government bill introduced in the House of Representatives on 12 August 2026. It would amend the Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) Act 2024 to extend the Act's sunset date from 30 June 2028 to 31 December 2029 and to credit the Special Account with additional funding. The bill delivers on the Government's 17 June 2026 announcement of $3.6 billion over two years to lock in the pay rise for early childhood educators, and adds $226 million in Commonwealth child safety reforms, with the states and territories committing more than $270 million — around half a billion dollars in total for strengthening the quality and safety of early childhood education and care. As introduced, the bill was read a first time and the second reading was moved in the House of Representatives on 12 August 2026. On 13 August 2026 it was referred to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee, with a report due by 4 September 2026. It is before the House and has not been enacted.
This is a federal system guide. State constitutions, parliaments and local-government laws can allocate comparable functions differently.
The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.
Evidence review
What the bill would do
The bill would amend the Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) Act 2024, which established a special account to fund the ECEC Worker Retention Payment Program delivering a 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators over two years.
The bill would credit the Special Account with additional funding and extend the Act's sunset date from 30 June 2028 to 31 December 2029. The Minister for Education's second reading speech states the bill delivers on the commitment announced by the Prime Minister on 17 June 2026 to invest $3.6 billion over two years to lock in the pay rise.
The bill also supports the Government's investment of an extra $226 million in child safety reforms, with the states and territories committing more than $270 million — around half a billion dollars that governments are investing in strengthening the quality and safety of early childhood education and care.
Evidence review
Why the bill was introduced
The original Wage Justice Act 2024 established the special account to fund the worker retention payment program. This bill extends and supplements that framework so the funding continues and additional child safety measures can be delivered.
The Minister's second reading speech notes that when the Government was first elected, child care workers were leaving the job in large numbers, and that in some centres the attrition rate was 40 per cent.
The 2026 bill is titled '(Extending Support and Strengthening Safety)' to reflect the two elements: extending the special account arrangements, and strengthening the safety and quality of the sector.
The original Wage Justice Act 2024 was developed after the Government joined negotiations with unions and sector representatives as part of the ECEC supported bargaining process. The worker retention payment program is delivered through the Special Account, which the 2026 bill would credit with additional funding so the program can continue beyond the current arrangements.
Evidence review
Who the bill would affect
The bill would primarily affect early childhood education and care workers eligible for the worker retention payment, by continuing the funding mechanism that supports their wage increases.
It would also affect early childhood education and care services, which participate in the program and are subject to its conditions, and families who use the services.
The child safety funding component would support reforms to strengthen the quality and safety of early childhood education and care, delivered jointly by the Commonwealth and the states and territories.
The Minister's second reading speech said early childhood education and care workers do one of the most important jobs in the country, that the Government was investing an extra $226 million in child safety reforms, and that the states and territories had committed more than $270 million as well, around half a billion dollars in total for strengthening the quality and safety of the sector.
Evidence review
Parliamentary scrutiny
On 13 August 2026, the bill was referred to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee for inquiry and report, with the report due by 4 September 2026.
The bill page records a Bills Digest as published for this bill, providing the Parliamentary Library's analysis.
No proposed amendments had been circulated as at 16 August 2026.
Evidence review
Parliamentary status
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and read a first time on 12 August 2026, with the second reading moved the same day. It is listed as before the House in the 48th Parliament.
To become law, the bill would need to pass the House of Representatives, be agreed to by the Senate, and receive Royal Assent. It has not yet been enacted.
Common questions
Before you rely on the answer
What is the Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers Special Account?
The Special Account was established by the Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) Act 2024 to fund the ECEC Worker Retention Payment Program, which delivers a 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators over two years.
What does the 2026 bill change?
The bill would credit the Special Account with additional funding and extend the Act's sunset date from 30 June 2028 to 31 December 2029, and supports the Government's $226 million investment in child safety reforms for the sector.
Has the bill become law?
No. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on 12 August 2026 and referred to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee on 13 August 2026, with a report due 4 September 2026. It has not been enacted.
How does the Special Account relate to the 15 per cent pay rise?
The Special Account funds the ECEC Worker Retention Payment Program, which delivers a 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators over two years. This bill would credit the Special Account with additional funding and extend the program's sunset date to 31 December 2029.
Source spine
Primary material used for this guide
- Parliament of Australia — Bill page — checked 2026-08-16
- Minister for Education — Second reading speech — checked 2026-08-16
- Prime Minister — Pay rise for early educators while keeping fees down for families — checked 2026-08-16
Review trigger: Review when the House of Representatives or the Senate debates or votes on the bill, when the Senate committee reports (due 4 September 2026), when the bill is amended, upon Royal Assent, or when the official bill page or Bills Digest changes.
Archive note: This article reviews a proposed bill as introduced on 12 August 2026. The bill is a government bill before the House of Representatives; it has not been enacted. Funding figures are drawn from the Minister for Education's second reading speech and the Prime Minister's announcement; readers should check the Parliament of Australia website for the current status.
Primary links are provided without affiliate or tracking parameters. Confirm that the source still applies to the bill, sitting date, jurisdiction or reporting period before relying on it.