ACA Qld is dedicated to supporting early childhood education and care services by providing essential resources, sector insights, and a strong advocacy voice for those within the sector. Last week, ACA demonstrated this commitment nationally by sharing new resources with our members, including Individual Flexibility Agreement (IFA) templates that align with the Fair Work Act and the Worker Retention Payment Grant Opportunity Guidelines.
The Worker Retention Payment grant application process will be open from 8 October 2024 to 30 September 2026, allowing services the option to apply later and have payments backdated. It is strongly advised that you consider the impact of the grant on your service or each of your individual services before applying.
If you’re not yet a member, here’s a look at what you could be accessing right now through an ACA Qld membership.
Why an ACA Qld Membership is Essential
Joining ACA Qld gives you direct access to these exclusive resources, empowering you to make well-informed decisions that help your service remain compliant while supporting your team. The guide and templates provide members with an efficient way to navigate IFAs while ensuring they align with regulatory requirements.
Member-Exclusive IFA Resources
ACA National have collaborated with the Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors to ensure members have access to important information and resources to aid them in their decision. As a member, you can access the following documents directly through our member portal:
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ACA IFA Guide for Members: This comprehensive guide breaks down the essentials of IFAs and helps members understand how they fit within Fair Work Act requirements, industry awards, and the Worker Retention Payment Grant Opportunity Guidelines.
Template IFA - Children’s Services Award: This template provides a ready-made foundation for Individual Flexibility Agreements, customized to meet the standards and conditions set out in the Children’s Services Award.
Template IFA - Educational Services (Teachers) Award: This template addresses the specific needs and conditions under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award, ensuring compliance while making flexibility easier to achieve for teachers.
Cost of Pay Rise Calculator: This tool is an Excel spreadsheet designed to help you calculate the actual cost of implementing the 10% wage rise at your service, using your payroll data and other factors. Please note - this calculation is for the initial 10%. View a short instructional video to assist you in completing the spreadsheet here.
Tool for clarifying four DoE Sample Services: Compare your service to the four Department of Education 'cameos' (i.e. examples) to find which most accurately aligns with your service.
An extensive FAQ sheet.
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Recordings and PowerPoint slides of crucial webinars covering the WRP and the tools created to assist services.
We highly recommend members read the guide carefully before making decisions or using any template agreements. This is a crucial first step to ensure you understand the legal and practical aspects of implementing IFAs in your service.
Exclusive Webinar and Ongoing Support
ACA Qld also recently hosted an in-depth webinar covering the new IFA templates, created in collaboration with the Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors (ABLA). This session provided practical insights into implementing flexibility agreements, the legal obligations for services, and best practices for supporting employee needs within regulatory guidelines. The recorded webinar will soon be available for members, allowing you to revisit the material whenever you need.
As a member, you gain access to valuable webinars, expert guidance, and ongoing support from ACA Qld to help you stay ahead in an evolving industry.
ACA Qld Membership: Your Partner in Compliance and Service Excellence
Becoming a member of ACA Qld means you’re supported at every turn, with resources, templates, and guidance tailored to the needs of early childhood education services. As an ACA Qld member, you are part of a supportive network with access to a range of services and expert advice that will assist you in providing quality early childhood education and care. We present a proactive voice for early childhood education and care services through the media and actively promote critical member issues.
Join ACA Qld Today
Don’t miss out on these invaluable resources and the exclusive support that only ACA Qld membership can offer. Join ACA Qld today and equip yourself with the tools to make confident, compliant decisions that benefit both your service and your team.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team on 07 3808 2366 or via email on qld@childcarealliance.org.au.