Australia faces a critical shortage of early childhood education workers, with tens of thousands needed to address current and future needs, according to a Commonwealth report.
The sector, which currently employs about 200,000 people, needs an additional 21,000 qualified professionals to fill existing gaps. Another 18,000 workers are required to meet future demand, and an additional 18,000 are needed to support the federal government’s plans for expanded childcare subsidies and preschool programs.
To offer universal preschool and improve children’s development, the industry must grow by three percent annually. However, attracting and retaining workers in early childhood education remains a challenge.
Early childhood educators, who require higher qualifications than warehouse workers or administrative clerks, earn less on average. Their wages are lower than those of aged and disabled carers, even though educators work about five hours more each week.
The sector also faces significant safety concerns. In 2021, the rate of serious injury claims in childcare services was 14.2 per million hours worked, compared to 6.5 claims per million hours across all industries.
With over 93 percent of early childhood workers being female, staffing issues are compounded by women’s primary school responsibilities. High turnover rates lead to increased reliance on trainees and additional responsibilities for experienced staff, who often spend more time on job supervision and recruitment. This can impact the quality of early learning.
The Future of Early Childhood Education Profession report suggests several measures to improve the sector’s sustainability. These include government-funded long-term wage growth, competitive wage rates in awards and enterprise agreements, continued support for paid placements and international students, and opportunities for ongoing professional development for all staff.
Jay Weatherill, campaigner for the Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five initiative, has called on the federal government to support educators working with students from diverse cultural backgrounds. “Passion alone does not pay the bills,” he said. “Educators want to work in a system that accommodates all children and provides them with the best opportunities.”
Carolyn Smith, director of early education at the United Workers Union, highlighted the report’s importance, noting that it outlines the urgent need for reform and a pay rise. “This report shows the full extent of the workforce crisis affecting early childhood education and care,” she said.
The federal government has already funded a 15 percent wage increase for early childhood education and care workers, but further action may be needed to address the ongoing challenges.