Workforce

ECEC imports increase while chefs decline – 2020/21 occupations ceiling released

Freya Lucas

Aug 18, 2020

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The Department of Home Affairs has announced the occupation ceiling for 2020-2021, with early childhood education and care (ECEC) professions receiving a boost, with an additional 1,027 places for early childhood teachers (ECTs) made available on the skilled migration list, in a bid to attract more skilled migrants who are qualified as early childhood teachers to Australia.

While ECTs will now have more opportunities to settle in Australia, traditionally popular skilled migration roles, such as accountants and chefs, have taken a hit, reflecting the changed economic and social landscape in Australia post the COVID-19 pandemic.

An 'occupation ceiling' may be applied to invitations issued under the independent, skilled regional visas. This means there will be a limit on how many expressions of interest (EOIs) can be invited for skilled migration from an occupation group, preventing the skilled visa list being dominated by one or more professions.

Alongside ECTs, construction managers have been given 43 per cent more places this year compared to last, with engineering managers, industrial, mechanical and production workers and special education teachers also benefiting from the changes.

Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officers (69 per cent), Architects (34 per cent) and Plasterers (31 per cent) have all seen a significant decline this year on last.

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New lease secured at well-established Bayside childcare centre

As workforce sustainability, property viability and long-term service planning continue to shape the early childhood education and care landscape, leasing outcomes for established centres remain a key indicator of sector confidence.

Fair Work case highlights need for support and due process when managing ECEC trainees

A recent Fair Work Commission decision has found a trainee working at a long day care service was unfairly dismissed, reinforcing the legal and ethical responsibilities early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers have when employing trainees.

Worker retention payment update: funding reviews and latest payment processing

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services have been provided with an update on the worker retention payment, including guidance on when a funding review can be requested and confirmation that the latest payment cycle has been processed.

Register now for mandatory national child safety training: new communication toolkit released

A new communication toolkit has been released to support early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers, regulators and sector stakeholders to prepare for the introduction of mandatory national child safety training.

Celebrating excellence: awards at the 2026 ECA National Conference

Early Childhood Australia’s national awards program is now open, with nominations and applications invited ahead of the 2026 Early Childhood Australia (ECA) National Conference.

New lease secured at well-established Bayside childcare centre

Fair Work case highlights need for support and due process when managing ECEC trainees

Worker retention payment update: funding reviews and latest payment processing

Register now for mandatory national child safety training: new communication toolkit released

Celebrating excellence: awards at the 2026 ECA National Conference

Early Childhood Australia’s national awards program is now open, with nominations and applications invited ahead of the 2026 Early Childhood Australia (ECA) National Conference.

Don’t miss a thing

New lease secured at well-established Bayside childcare centre

Economics

Provider

Affordability & Accessibility

Workforce

New lease secured at well-established Bayside childcare centre

Fair Work case highlights need for support and due process when managing ECEC trainees

Worker retention payment update: funding reviews and latest payment processing

Register now for mandatory national child safety training: new communication toolkit released

Celebrating excellence: awards at the 2026 ECA National Conference

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ECEC imports increase while chefs decline – 2020/21 occupations ceiling released

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