Grants awarded to attract childcare workers to regional WA

  • 14 regional local governments awarded grants to attract and retain childcare workers
  • Grants will fund relocation allowances, subsidised accommodation and training
  • Funding part of a $5.1 million commitment by the McGowan Government to improve access to early childhood education and care in regional WA
  • Local governments across Western Australia have received funding under a $1 million State Government grants program to attract and retain childcare workers in regional WA.

    The program, delivered with the support of the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA), was established in 2021 to help address the issues faced by early childhood education and care services in regional WA in finding and retaining staff.

    After the initial funding round of $250,000 received considerable interest, additional funds were made available.

    The funds can be used by regional early childhood education and care services for incentives such as staff training, relocation costs and subsidised accommodation.

    Early childhood education and care services can also use the funding to set up traineeships, partnerships with local TAFEs and campaigns to attract more people to take up early childhood education as a career.

    Funding can also be used to provide incentives for Aboriginal people to enter the early childhood education and care workforce, and to support staff in undertaking professional development.

    The grants program is part of the State Government’s $5.1 million commitment to improve access to early childhood education and care in regional WA.

    The McGowan Government has also reduced the course fees for Certificate III and the Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care qualifications with the aim of increasing the supply of early childhood educators across WA.

    As stated by Community Services Minister Simone McGurk:

    “Early childhood education and care services are important not only for children’s socialisation and education, but also to support parents – especially women – to return to work.

    “We know that regional towns can face greater challenges in finding workers and the choice of early childhood education and care services on offer can be limited, and I’m pleased to see so many local governments applying for and receiving grants that will help bring workers to regional towns.

    “From funding relocation costs, to subsidising accommodation and paying for education and training, these initiatives will attract childcare workers and ultimately help more parents return to work in their local communities.

    “These grants are part of a $5.1 million commitment by the State Government to improve access to, and affordability of childcare in regional WA. It’s great for kids and families, and keeps local communities together.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.