Victoria passes new educator hiring legislation to pave way for ELC roll out

A new Bill that will allow the Department of Education to directly employ staff at early learning centres has passed the Victorian Legislative Assembly. 

The passing of the Bill is seen as an important milestone as the state prepares to roll out fifty new government owned and operated early learning centres to deliver childcare, kindergarten and Pre-Prep.

Up until now the Victorian Department of Education could only, by Law, employ staff associated with primary and secondary schools. The new Bill addresses that constraint and provides the Department with authority to proceed with staffing its new centres. 

In addition, the Bill allows for the Department of Education to also request, and receive, the payment of fees by parents of children enrolled in their early learning centres, which given the roll out, is a first for the State requires legislative approval too. 

“These centres will open between 2025 and 2028,” Minister for Education Ben Carroll said.

“All fifty centres will be located where they are needed most ‍– in areas with significant childcare shortage and higher rates of disadvantage.” 

“Where possible, centres will be co-located or integrated with schools, hospitals, TAFEs, or other community services. This will increase parents and carers’ access to early learning and childcare, and subsequently increase workforce participation.”

The first thirty locations of the roll out have been confirmed and are expected to be up and running by 2028, with $584 million being allocated to the program.