The NSW government must stop stalling and reveal how it will boost funding for fair pay in community preschools.
More than 170 IEU members passed a motion on 6 August calling on the NSW government to implement the Fair Work Commission’s recommendation that it increase funding for community preschools.
This would support pay rises for teachers and educators who are paid substantially less than their counterparts in primary schools.
The NSW government in June announced that a new funding model for not-for-profit community preschools will commence in 2027. However, members are still waiting for details of the new funding model and how it proposes to address the systemic wage injustice for teachers and educators in the sector.
IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Carol Matthews said NSW preschools receive substantially less funding than Victorian preschools. A 50% increase in funding would be required to bring funding closer to levels in Victoria.
“The sole purpose of community preschools is the safety and educational development of young children,” she said.
“It’s time the NSW government provide more funding for fair pay so our members can continue offering safe, high-quality education.”
Motion passed 6 August 2026
IEU: NSW Preschool teachers and educators
Building a universal, inclusive preschool sector in NSW
NSW Preschool services are funded substantially less than Victorian preschools. A 50% funding increase would be required to approach equitable funding with Victoria. Due to inadequate funding services provide wages and conditions that are substantially inferior to school settings, public preschools and other ECEC providers. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) found that our wages and conditions are inadequate including as a result of the gender undervaluation of our work. The FWC issued a formal recommendation that the NSW Government, as the primary funder of preschool services, provide funding to substantially increase wages in the sector.
NSW Preschools are community run and managed. We are reliant on parent volunteers. We are not for profit, our sole purpose is the safety, care and educational development of the young children in our services. We provide safe, high quality education and care services; preschool services are 3 times more likely to be recognised as a high quality service in comparison to other ECEC providers.
On 26 June 2026 the NSW Government announced a plan to build a universal preschool sector in NSW. We applaud the announcement. However, the announcement did not address the crisis in attracting and retaining teachers in the sector. The announced funding may in fact take teachers wages backwards.
The announcement has not indicated that there will be an actual increase in funding for preschool services.
We call on the NSW Government to implement the decision of the Fair Work Commission and fund preschools fairly to address the systemic wage injustice for teachers and educators across the sector.