South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula demands action of severe childcare shortage 

Residents of South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula have demanded Government action and intervention in response to what they term “a severe childcare shortage,” saying that funding announcements in the federal budget have raised expectations.

Despite the calls, Barunga West Council’s Interim CEO Paul Simpson has cautioned that regardless of the budget’s promising childcare measures, significant hurdles remain for families in South Australia’s regional electorate of Grey, the country’s worst childcare desert.

The Regional Childcare Desert Advocacy Project’s (RCDAP) “Bring Them In” campaign, spearheaded by Mr Simpson, highlights community frustration over the ongoing government neglect of access to early learning in regional Australia.

“The incredible turnout at our campaign launch clearly demonstrates the urgency and unity behind our cause,” Mr Simpson shared. “Our region contributes over $15 billion annually to South Australia’s economy, yet families continue to lack basic childcare services. The federal budget’s announcements are promising, but we must see specific commitments for Grey.”

Initiatives such as the Three-Day Guarantee and the Building Early Education Fund, although positive, he continued, may not effectively resolve the unique challenges faced by communities in Grey. He stressed that unless early learning services are physically available locally, the impact of such policies would be minimal, leaving families in the same difficult situation.

Barunga West Mayor Leonie Kerley welcomed Federal Budget the following key measures aimed at enhancing childcare accessibility, particularly designed to benefit regional areas:

• Three-Day Guarantee: Starting January 2026, all families will be entitled to at least three days a week of subsidised childcare, removing the current activity test. This policy aims to improve accessibility, especially in regional communities where options are limited.
• Building Early Education Fund: A $1 billion investment will support the construction and expansion of approximately 160 early childhood education and care services in regions facing childcare shortages.
• Early Childhood Educator Wage Increase: A $3.6 billion investment will fund a 15% pay rise for early childhood educators to attract and retain qualified staff, crucial for service improvement across Australia, including regional areas.

Despite her welcome of the announcements the Mayor stressed the need for explicit financial commitments to Grey, regardless of which party governs.

“Our region has been neglected for generations,” she said. “While these announcements are encouraging, we urgently need clear funding directed specifically to Grey to finally address our childcare crisis.”

A July 2022 Demand Survey in Port Broughton highlighted the economic impact of inadequate childcare (sic.), with 74 per cent of respondents indicating they would increase their employment if childcare were accessible.

The Mitchell Institute repeatedly identified Grey as Australia’s worst childcare desert, highlighting significant disparities in access and child development compared to metropolitan areas.

“Every moment governments delay action, our children and communities suffer,” Mr Simpson said. “Promises alone aren’t enough. We need immediate funding commitments and practical solutions to address our urgent needs.”

“We want clear, actionable commitments from all tiers of government,” Mr Simpson said. “It’s crucial to ensure our children thrive, whether they’re in Adelaide’s suburbs or Port Broughton.”