From 1 March 2026
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) removed the qualifications allowance from the Children’s Services Award from 1 March 2026.
The decision was made as part of the Gender-based undervaluation - priority awards review.
The review introduced a new classification structure and new rates of pay to the award.
Before 1 March 2026
The qualifications allowance was paid to Directors and Assistant Directors with:
- a Graduate Certificate in Childcare Management, or
- an equivalent qualification.
An equivalent qualification was a qualification recognised as being equal to the Graduate Certificate.
State training authorities may be able to advise which qualifications were recognised as equal.
The qualifications allowance was an all-purpose allowance.
References
Children's Services Award
[2025] FWCFB 283
[2025] FWCFB 74 - the Fair Work Commission said that the allowance should be removed because the rates of pay for Directors and Assistant Directors were set based on the work of the role itself, and not any qualification that a person in the role may hold.
[2025] FWCFB 74 - the Fair Work Commission said that the allowance should be removed because the rates of pay for Directors and Assistant Directors were set based on the work of the role itself, and not any qualification that a person in the role may hold.
What to do next
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