One Tree Community Services announces ‘pay and perks’ initiative for Onslow

Freya Lucas

Jun 22, 2021

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One Tree Community Services has announced a collaborative support package with local employers and decision makers to attract early childhood educators to the small beachside town of Onslow to cater for a recent $2 million expansion of the local childcare service building and gym, which has doubled the childcare centre’s service capacity.

Local employer Chevron Australia Pty Ltd operates a major employment opportunity in the town and surrounding areas via the Wheatstone Project, Australia’s first third-party liquefied natural gas (LNG) hub, and one of the country’s largest resource developments.

The Wheatstone Project funded the expansion of the childcare service, and is leading the collaboration which is designed to bring more more qualified early years professionals to Onslow to support the community of 857 people.

Chevron Australia has led a joint initiative including BHP, the Onslow Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), Onslow Salt, and the Shire of Ashburton to develop a support package for new and existing One Tree Community Services employees in Onslow.

The new support packages are attractive and offer eligible employees an extra $300 per week allowance, a $10,000 relocation package, return flights to Perth, free access to local recreation services and more.

One Tree Community Services is also an accredited Registered Training Organisation, so will also extend financial incentives for locals who want to complete an early childhood qualification through the package.

“There is a national crisis with a lack of qualified childcare workers at the moment,” One Tree CEO Karri Hillier admitted, saying she hopes that the incentives will help attract qualified workers to the region.

“Our Onslow team are excited to be working in the new space,” Ms Hillier shared, reinforcing the commitment the provider has made to continue providing high quality care for children in Onslow and beyond.

Staff numbers will need to double at One Tree Onslow Children’s Service to meet the increased capacity. The larger capacity and increased hours will better meet the needs of working families who do shift work and support Onslow’s future economic development.To learn more about One Tree Community Services, see here.

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