6 figure salaries on offer for educators who are willing to go west

While early childhood education and care (ECEC) wages have been spoken about widely in the mainstream media following what some have termed a ‘Budget let down’ for the sector, there is one part of Australia where holding an ECEC qualification can net educators a salary of over $100,000 a year. 

Some towns in regional Western Australia have offered up to $150,000 a year to attract and retain staff, including communities in the Pilbara, Gascoyne, the Kimberley and the Goldfields, where staff shortages have left some services at risk of closure. 

The pay rate is based on the casual award rate, with an additional daily living away from home allowance, One Tree Community Services CEO Karri Hillier shared. 

Not-for-profit One Tree was recently given WA Government funding for its 12 month Regional Early Years Learn and Lead (REYLL) project which aims to support ECEC providers in the regions with hiring and training staff, and with further resources to support them once employed. 

While REYLL is expected to recruit and train local ECEC employees, there will be gaps that need to be filled, which is where the FIFO workforce comes in. Known as EduTribe, the on demand workforce is comprised of educators who embrace the flexibility, freedom and ‘sense of adventure’ which comes with their role. 

“It’s also very rewarding, providing an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families while benefiting communities and business,” Ms Hillier said. 

For some staff, the FIFO life allowed them to “try before you buy” and experience life in a remote community before making a commitment to living in a community they came to love. 

To learn more about EduTribe please see here. Aspects of this story were drawn from coverage by 7News and The Daily Mail. See the original coverage using the links provided.