15 MarWork and Care Report
The final report from the Select Committee on Work and Care consists of 33 recommendations provided by the Committee to the Australian Government, aiming to reform the current care sectors and their operation. This included the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector and considered paid parental leave conditions, disability and aged care services, financial assistance for carers, and workplace conditions for early childhood staff.
The list of recommendations carries three main focuses.
- The need for government to adopt a universal and child-centered framework across the system, which will require the government to review and amend the current system.
- To increase workforce participation by raising worker payment remuneration, improving access for families and children to enter ECEC, and for parents to get enough financial support.
- For government to ensure the executions of each change are well delivered and consistent across states.
While one-third of the recommendations align with the ELAA’s joint peak submission to the Select Committee on Work and Care Submission (September 2022), there could be a greater focus on access and further measures to support the workforce, championing diversity to reflect modern Australian society. ELAA will continue to advocate for solutions that will improve the sector’s workforce and increase access to ECEC for all communities, with a focus on high quality and equity throughout our recommendations.
