Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh
Minister for Early Childhood Education
Minister for Youth
Labor Senator for Victoria
Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh, Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education, delivered an address at the Early Learning Matters Week Wrap Up Event at Australian Parliament House in Canberra on August 27, 2025. In the room were early childhood professionals, leaders, advocates and supporters.
In her address, Minister Walsh spoke about her visits to early childhood services during Early Learning Matters Week. Early Childhood Australia is grateful to Minister Walsh for her support of Early Learning Matters Week 2025.
Part of the Minister’s address is published here on The Spoke:
In the short time I’ve been Minister for Early Childhood Education, I’ve met early educators all over the country who do amazing work.
I’ve also seen what a difficult period it has been for early childhood educators. I’ve heard the feelings of shock and betrayal educators have when children have been unsafe.
So, I want you to know just how much I value, and the Government values, the work that you do.
It’s why we’ve announced a big package of reforms to support educators to keep children safe and to help close the door on those who seek to do harm. Because we know that our nation’s early educators are the key to delivering safe, quality early learning.
It’s why we’re investing in a historic 15% pay rise to help educators stay in the jobs they love. And we’re seeing the benefits of that, with job vacancies dropping by a quarter since the pay rise.
Quality early education starts with a stable, long-term, dedicated workforce. And that’s what we want to work with the sector to continue to deliver.
Organised by Early Childhood Australia (ECA), Early Learning Matters Week aims to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of early learning in shaping the development and wellbeing of children. We seek to highlight the significant role that early learning plays in laying the foundation for future success and to emphasise the value of quality early childhood education and care.
