Community preschool teachers set to rally in Martin Place
Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch
FOR PLANNING: Wednesday 6 May 2026
MEDIA ALERT
- When Wednesday 6 May, 9.30am for 10am start
- Where Top of Martin Place, Sydney (near NSW Parliament House)
- What Rally and photo opportunity
- Who NSW politicians, community preschool teachers, Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey, IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Acting Secretary David Towson, IEU members and supporters
Community preschool teachers represented by the Independent Education Union will this morning rally in Martin Place calling on the NSW government to fund fair pay rises.
Hundreds of early childhood teachers and educators, parents, children and supporters, dressed in bright pink, will gather at the top of Martin Place in the lead-up to the NSW government delivering its budget in June.
“Preschool teachers and educators need the NSW government to boost funding for community preschools in the June budget so they can be paid fairly for providing high-quality education,” said IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Acting Secretary David Towson.
The IEU and preschools have been calling on the NSW government for almost two years to fund pay rises that properly value the work of preschool staff.
“There is a systemic, gender-based undervaluation of this highly feminised workforce,” Towson said. “To start addressing this, community preschool staff need a 15% pay rise.”
In February this year, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) recommended that the NSW government review and boost funding for community preschools to lift pay and conditions for teachers and educators.
“The umpire has spoken – we urge the NSW government to listen to the FWC’s recommendation for increased funding to fix acute staff shortages caused by inadequate pay and conditions in community preschools,” Towson said.
“Teachers, children, parents and the community all stand to gain from a strong preschool sector.”
Staff in community preschools earn up to 30% less a year than their counterparts in schools with similar qualifications and roles, and 15% less than their colleagues in long day care centres.
Community preschools are run by volunteer committees of parents whose only priorities are children’s education and safety.
Funding for community preschools is derived solely from the NSW government and parent fees. They do not receive funding from the federal government. In a cost-of-living crisis, it is essential that preschools avoid fee increases.
“After months of negotiating, the NSW government has still not committed to a funding increase,” Towson said.
“Without an increase in NSW government funding to lift pay and conditions, community preschools may be forced to cap enrolments because of staff shortages or increase fees for families.”
Contacts
IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Acting Secretary David Towson 0408 277 743
Media Andrew Taylor 0477 902 040, [email protected]
The IEUA NSW/ACT Branch represents over 32,000 teachers, principals and support staff in Catholic and independent schools, early childhood centres and post-secondary colleges.
Authorised by David Towson, IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Acting Secretary