Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh
- Minister for Early Childhood Education
- Minister for Youth
Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh was sworn in as Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth on 13 May 2025. Content published on this site relates to the Minister’s responsibilities within the Education portfolio.
Filter Dr Jess Walsh's releases
Expanding access to early education in Whitlam
The Albanese and ACT Governments have reached a historic agreement delivering $10 million through the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund to deliver more not-for-profit early learning at the…
Expanding access to early education in Tasmania
The Albanese and Rockliff Governments have reached a historic agreement for $25.5 million through the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund and $5 million from the Tasmanian Government to…
2026 Young Australian of the Year Nedd Brockmann
Congratulations to Nedd Brockmann from New South Wales for being named the national 2026 Young Australian of the Year.
More support to services under Community Child Care Fund
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers can now apply for funding to help services stay open in communities experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability.
Expanding access to early education in regional South Australia
The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments have reached an historic agreement under the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund to deliver more not for profit early learning in South Australia.
Three-day guarantee a ‘huge step’ in universal early education target
This year, we will see a huge shift in the way government understands and respects early learning.
3 Day Guarantee for early learning begins today
From today, Australian children are eligible for three days of subsidised early education and care each week under the Albanese Labor Government’s 3 Day Guarantee.
Supporting early childhood education in Alice Springs
A new community-led early childhood education and care service has opened in Alice Springs creating more opportunities and greater access to quality early education for local First Nations…
Funding agreement reached on preschools
The Albanese Labor Government has struck a preschool funding agreement with the States and Territories, providing funding certainty to the end of 2027.
Opinion piece - The pay rise that's helping educators stay in the jobs they love
This week delivers a big win for the predominantly female workforce in early education and care.
Interview - ABC News
SUBJECTS: 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators; Independent review of the National Quality Framework; Productivity Commission recommendations; 3 Day Guarantee; Building Early Education…
Opinion piece - An historic day for early childhood educators
Today’s five per cent pay rise fully delivers the Albanese Government’s 15 per cent pay rise for educators, a pay rise that new data shows is stabilising early learning.