FIFO hits ECEC as regional workforce pressures remain for ECEC

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals are the latest to take on ‘fly in, fly out’ (FIFO) roles as the challenges of attracting and retaining staff in regional and rural Australia continues. 

FIFO roles, relocation incentives, subsidised or free accommodation and other incentive payments are becoming increasingly common as approved providers struggle to attract staff during what the ABC has termed ‘a critical worker shortage.’

When workers cannot be found, services are capping enrolments, closing rooms or shutting down entirely, a lived experience which is consistent with new data which shows that just one in ten children under five years of age in Western Australia are enrolled in early childhood education and care – the second lowest rate in the country and well below the national average.

Speaking with The ABC, Australian Childcare Alliance WA chief executive Rachelle Tucker said urgent action was needed to address the short supply of diploma-qualified educators in country WA, which was threatening the viability of regional and remote centres.

“The impact of (centre) closures extends far beyond the childcare sector,” Ms Tucker said. 

“Families who rely on these vital services are left without options, limiting their ability to work and affecting other essential industries such as healthcare, education, and local business.” 

A lack of affordable housing, she continued, was compounding the issue, with workers having to turn down positions because they cannot find somewhere to live in the event that they are willing to relocate. 

Renting through REED

REED is a regional provider which operates 23 services across WA, and in 2024 had to close some of its service due to a shortage of Diploma qualified educators. As a result of the closures the organisation reevaluated its offer, and now offers relocation packages of up to $12,500 as well as renting out local properties, before subletting them to new workers.

“We know to fill a position, we need to have housing available,” chair Wendy Newman shared with The ABC.

“At our peak, REED was leasing close to 10 properties and then providing a sublease arrangement.”

FIFO roles with One Tree

The State Government-funded Regional Early Years Learn and Lead (REYLL) program, operated by training provider and childcare operator One Tree, was recently extended to help boost the regional workforce.

Through the program One Tree supplies FIFO relief workers and trains locals at 28 centres across the Pilbara, Gascoyne, Kimberley, Goldfields and in the Midwest.

For Leinster Community Daycare centre director Christine Bell, the REYLL program has been ‘a huge support’ in navigating staffing challenges.

“Being able to access quality educators has been vital to keeping our centre open,” she said.

“Staffing has been the biggest challenge I have faced. Being remote and not having access to qualified relief staff means that during shortages, sickness, and leave, maintaining the required ratios can be challenging.”

The FIFO program offers some of the stability the service needs, and in turn supports local families to continue their contributions to their employers and the broader community.

To read the original coverage of this story please see here.