Australia needs approximately 21,000 additional early childhood educators to meet current demand, according to a new report.
The Jobs and Skills early childhood census highlights a significant workforce shortage, with many parents struggling to access early childhood services and qualified educators. To address this gap, the report suggests that the industry’s workforce must grow by 1.5 percent annually over the next decade to prevent further shortages.
The report also points to chronic issues within the sector, including high levels of burnout among experienced workers, which has led to a high turnover rate. Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood, emphasized the urgent need for long-term reform and a shift in how early childhood education is valued.
“Early childhood educators and teachers are crucial to our communities,” Dent said. “They support children’s development and education, help prepare them for school, assist parents in returning to work, and boost our economy.”
The report identifies several factors contributing to the workforce crisis, including excessive overtime, insufficient professional development, low pay, and inadequate placement opportunities. Early childhood educators earn less on average than storepersons or general clerks, despite requiring higher qualifications.
To combat these issues, the report recommends government support for long-term wage growth in the sector. It also suggests implementing incentives to encourage more people to pursue careers in early childhood education and expanding efforts to recruit First Nations educators. Additionally, it proposes including early childhood educators in employer-sponsored skilled visa programs.
A potential solution to the pay issue is a planned wage increase for early childhood educators. The Federal Government has announced a 15 percent pay rise in this year’s Budget, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese detailing a phased increase starting with 10 percent in December, followed by an additional 5 percent next December.
Dent welcomed the pay rise, noting its importance given the low wages many educators currently receive. “This historic pay rise is a significant turning point for a profession that is predominantly female and vital to our society,” she said. “With some educators earning as little as $24 an hour, this increase is a crucial step forward.”
For childcare services to qualify for the funding, they must not raise their fees by more than 4.4 percent over the next 12 months. The pay rise will increase the average early childhood educator’s weekly earnings by at least $103, with a further increase to $155 by next December.
Beyond better pay, Dent stressed the need for long-term strategies to retain workers. “To sustain demand, we must ensure early educators have financial stability, access to support, mentorship, career advancement, and benefits,” she said. “This is especially crucial in regional and rural areas, where staff shortages often lead to reduced enrolments or closures.”
“Early childhood educators are essential to a universal early childhood education and care system, benefiting children, families, communities, and the economy,” Dent concluded.