Council-Operated ECEC Services

Question

1. What specific measures is the Government implementing to address workforce shortages in regional, rural and remote childcare services, including housing and relocation incentives? 2. Can you detail how many ECEC educators have been recruited or retained through these measures in the past 12 months in regional, rural and remote locations? 3. Has the Government reviewed whether childcare regulations designed for metropolitan centres are imposing disproportionate compliance burdens on small rural and remote services? 4. What mechanisms are in place to ensure that future childcare policy and regulatory reforms are assessed for their impact on the ongoing viability of rural and remote ECEC services? 5. How many council-operated ECEC services currently operate nationally? 6. Has the Department undertaken any analysis of workforce shortages affecting council-operated services? 7. What feedback has the Department received from local governments regarding regulatory burden? 8. Have local government operators raised concerns regarding: a. staffing requirements; b. reporting obligations; c. compliance costs? 9. Has the Department considered any measures specifically targeted at supporting council-operated services?

Answer

Please see the attached PDF.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000361.pdf (opens in a new tab)