Did you miss the Gender Undervaluation webinar?

As you would be aware, the Fair Work Commission has handed down its final determination on gender undervaluation in the early childhood education and care sector.

This decision introduces significant changes to the Children’s Services Award 2010, including a simplified classification structure, staged wage increases, and key implementation dates commencing from 1 March 2026.

While these changes will be phased in over 4 years and apply differently depending on classification and workplace arrangements, it is important that services understand what has been decided and what this means in practice.

The webinar held on 22 January 2026 covered:

• What the gender-based undervaluation means in the ECEC context
• The key changes to the Children’s Services Award 2010, including the simplified classification structure
• How wage increases will be phased in and the timing of those changes
• How the determination interacts with different workplace instruments
• The practical interaction with the Worker Retention Payment (WRP)
• And more!

The webinar focused on explaining what has changed, what is known, and what providers should be aware of as these changes are implemented. The session offers a detailed overview, designed to help services understand the determination at a high level. 

The session was presented by ACA President Paul Mondo and ABLA CEO & Director Nigel Ward, who walked through the final determination and its implications for early childhood services.

As presented, the following resources are available to support services:

• the Classification Matrix (ie the Gender Undervaluation: New Award Classification (translation) tool from the old to the new classifications);

• the Summary Factsheet: Gender Undervaluation for Educators that employers can share with their staff;

• the Blog Article: Gender-based Undervaluation & How It May Impact Your Service; and

• the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and their answers; and

• the slides of today's presentation.

The Gender-Based Undervaluation Toolkit for ACA/ACA NSW members will be available next week.

You can access the ACA Workplace Relations Advice Line via 1300 817 787 or aca@workplaceadviceline.com.au.

For any further information/clarification/assistance, members can contact the ACA NSW team via 1300 556 330 or nsw@childcarealliance.org.au.

PUBLISHED: 22 JANUARY 2026