The Department of Education has reported that approximately 65% of approved providers have applied for the Worker Retention Payment grant thus far. Unfortunately many of these providers have experienced significant delays in the processing of their application.
We understand these extended wait times have created significant stress for those paying the increased rates upfront to their staff, as well as workforce retention issues for others. The current processing times have well surpassed the Department's initial processing estimations, with some providers being left in limbo for many months now.
We have raised these concerns to the Department formally several times now and will continue to do so. Whilst we have begun to see improvements in processing timelines, we acknowledge there are still many providers urgently requiring a solution.
Escalations
Our Worker Retention Payment team have been escalating applications directly to the Department for those providers who have implemented the pay rise before receiving grant funding, and are therefore experiencing severe financial difficulty.
We will continue to individually escalate these cases, as we understand the gravity of the financial stress this situation has caused.
However, whether you have already implemented the WRP pay rise amounts or not, if you applied for the WRP before January 31 2025 and have still not received an outcome, please get in touch with our team ASAP by emailing us at wrp@childcarealliance.org.au.
New applications - 22 May 2025 onwards
Any providers now looking to lodge their WRP applications before the back payment deadline of June 30 2025 will need to use an Individual Flexibility Arrangement (IFA) as their compliant workplace instrument, as the opportunity to become party to the Multi-Employer Agreement before the 30 June 2025 deadline has now passed.
You can access ACA's IFA templates, which have been approved for the purposes of the Worker Retention Payment, along with our IFA Guide (for you, the employer) and a short Explainer For Educators, here.
Please note that you must have 95% or more of eligible staff sign these agreements for them to form a compliant workplace instrument.
Looking ahead
We will continue to work closely with the Department to resolve processing delays, in the hopes with the aim that providers will receive more timely application outcomes.
Should you have any queries or concerns regarding your application please do not hesitate to reach out to our team on 1300 856 379 or via email at wrp@childcarealliance.org.au.
We're available Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm AEST.
