Skip to main content
Worker Retention Payment Support Service
Worker Retention Payment Support Service

  • We can help you with the Worker Retention Payment.  

    This will mean you can access government-funded pay rise for your eligible employees as soon as possible.
    Just call us on 1300 856 379.

Background 

In 2024 the Australian Government announced that it would support a 15% wage increase for the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) workforce over a period of 2 years, via the ECEC Worker Retention Payment (WRP).


Eligible ECEC approved providers (i.e. centre-based day care and outside school hours services) can opt-in by applying for the payment, which is issued to eligible providers through a grant agreement. Providers which are approved must then pass the payment on to eligible ECEC workers.

Worker Retention Payment - what are the terms and conditions?

ECEC service providers wishing to apply for the WRP are required to comply with a set of grant guidelines,  which among other things, stipulate that in order to be eligible for the payment, service providers must engage their employees in an acceptable workplace instrument .


You can download and read the WRP grant guidelines in their entirety here. 

You can read a summary of the WRP grant guidelines here. . 

What is a workplace instrument? 

A "workplace instrument" is a broad term defined under Australia’s Fair Work Act, which encompasses the different types of legal documents used to set up worker pay and conditions, such as awards and enterprise agreements.


A workplace instrument sets out terms and conditions of employment, like pay rates, penalties and loadings, working hours and leave entitlements.

Workplace instruments can be negotiated through a bargaining process, and they are legally binding. 

Engaging staff in a workplace instrument: Your 2 key options 

The two main options for engaging a workplace instrument in order to comply with the WRP grant guidelines are:
 

- adoption of the Multi-Employer Agreement (MEA); and 

- adoption of Individual Flexibility Arrangements (IFAs). 
 

Both of these options require consultation with your employees.

How ACA can help

Should you wish to apply for the Worker Retention Payment, the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) offers a complimentary, professional support service to assist all ECEC service providers (i.e. you don't have to be an ACA member) to help you engage with a workplace instrument and access the WRP as soon as possible. 


We offer this free service with the support of the Department of Education, and in collaboration with our expert legal team at the Australian Business Lawyers and Advisors (ABLA).  


How can we help you?

Please click on the button below which best aligns with your immediate need for support. 

I would like to talk to someone at ACA about whether the WRP would benefit my service and/or my workplace instrument options
I would like to adopt the Multi-Employer Agreement (MEA)
I would like to adopt the Individual Flexibility Agreements (IFAs)