A new report has revealed that Australia urgently needs over 21-thousand early childhood educators to meet current demand, with future needs expected to increase further.
The study, released by Jobs and Skills Australia Commissioner Professor Barney Glover, highlighted the unsustainable staffing levels in a sector employing about 200-thousand workers.
An 8 per cent workforce growth was essential for sustainable staffing, with an additional 8 per cent required to meet unmet service demands, according to the latest figures.
The report emphasised the importance of supporting diverse communities, particularly in remote areas, and stressed the critical role of early childhood education in shaping future tertiary education participation.
The federal government has responded with a 3.6-billion-dollar investment in wage increases to attract and retain workers.
However, ongoing staff shortages are forcing centres to turn families away, underlining the need for further action to sustain the workforce and improve the sector’s appeal.