What was debated in Parliament
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This bill adds $3.6 billion to the fund that pays for a 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators, extending the payment to June 2028 and the fund to the end of 2029. Services that take the money must limit fee rises, and from July 2027 must meet the national standard for children's health and safety or risk losing funding. All parties supported or did not oppose the bill, but the debate covered whether a temporary grant is a long-term plan, who is left out, and childcare access in regional areas.
Arguments made in support
The Government said the pay rise has worked, with about 20,000 more educators, job vacancies down about 31 per cent and fewer services needing staffing waivers.
Labor speakers said tying funding to fee limits saves the average family about $1,500, and without the bill fees could rise about 17 per cent.
Government members said linking funding to the health and safety standard adds to recent child safety reforms like the worker register and mandatory training.
Labor speakers said the workforce is mostly women and has long been undervalued, so the pay rise helps close the gender pay gap.
The Government said requiring a workplace agreement makes sure the money reaches workers' pay.
Arguments made against, or for changes
Coalition speakers said extending a temporary grant is not a long-term plan and creates another funding cliff in 2028.
The Coalition said most family day care educators are contractors and miss out, and moved an amendment to remove the workplace agreement requirement.
Coalition and Nationals members said the bill does not fix childcare shortages in regional areas, where many towns have no centre or long waiting lists.
The Greens said 15 per cent is not enough and called for a free universal system, while independents raised fee rules, visas for overseas educators and affordability.
Some independents said not-for-profit and community centres struggle with the fee cap and paperwork, and childcare costs keep rising faster than inflation.
135 speeches by 82 members in the House and Senate over 8 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 12 Aug 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 20 Aug 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 7 Sept 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 8 Sept 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 9 Sept 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 10 Sept 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 14 Sept 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 15 Sept 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Every party member who voted went with the majority of their party.