Hundreds of childcare centres across the country will be closed today as workers walk off the job, demanding better pay.

United Voice Union says about 6,500 workers from more than 300 centres will take part in industrial action for some or all of today.

Parents are being urged to make other arrangements for their children.

The union says qualified childcare staff are among the lowest paid workers in Australia, and is calling for pay packets to increase by 30%.

It’s the third time in 12 months early childhood workers have taken industrial action.