❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice reveals a lack of data on childcare educator vacancies in WA, particularly in regional areas. While the Department hasn't received significant reports, housing affordability is a potential concern for regional recruitment.
AnsweredQoN 1299Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to access to availability of educators for childcare services in regional Western Australia, and I ask: (a) as at 1 January 2026, how many educator positions were vacant in childcare services in the Perth Metropolitan area; (b) as at 1 January 2026, how many educator positions were vacant in childcare services outside the Perth Metropolitan area; (c) as at 1 January 2026, how many regional services reported staffing shortages for educators in the childcare service sector; and (d) has the Department received reports that housing affordability or rental shortages may be affecting the recruitment of childcare educators in regional Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 April 2026
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Early Childhood
Response time
5 days
(a)-(c) The Department of Communities (Communities) does not hold this data.
(d) Communities has not received a significant number of reports that housing affordability or rental shortages are impacting the recruitment of childcare educators in regional Western Australia
In 2021 the WA Labor Government committed $5.1 million for a range of initiatives to improve access to early childhood education and care (ECEC) in the regions, making it more accessible and affordable for families. Included in this was $1 million towards attracting and retaining ECEC educators in regional WA through the establishment of a capped grant fund ($250,000 per annum) to regional LGAs to fund attraction and retention packages. Some of these grants went towards housing and relocation costs for educators in the regions.
(d) Communities has not received a significant number of reports that housing affordability or rental shortages are impacting the recruitment of childcare educators in regional Western Australia
In 2021 the WA Labor Government committed $5.1 million for a range of initiatives to improve access to early childhood education and care (ECEC) in the regions, making it more accessible and affordable for families. Included in this was $1 million towards attracting and retaining ECEC educators in regional WA through the establishment of a capped grant fund ($250,000 per annum) to regional LGAs to fund attraction and retention packages. Some of these grants went towards housing and relocation costs for educators in the regions.
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