WA invests in workforce stability with $750,000 in grants for early childhood education

Western Australia’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce is set to receive a significant boost, with the Cook Labor Government announcing $750,000 in Attraction and Retention Grants to support educators and services across the State.

The funding represents the first round of a broader $3 million election commitment aimed at strengthening the ECEC and Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) workforce over four years.

The announcement comes at a time when workforce shortages, rising operating costs and increasing expectations around quality, safety and inclusion continue to place pressure on services across Australia.

37 providers to share first round of funding

A total of 37 ECEC and OSHC providers have been awarded grants of up to $25,000 each to deliver practical initiatives focused on attracting, supporting and retaining educators.

According to the WA Government, the program received 131 applications, highlighting strong demand for workforce support across the sector.

Funded initiatives include:

• educator recruitment campaigns
• leadership development programs
• mental health first aid training
• networking and professional learning opportunities
• subsidised regional accommodation
• relocation support
• career pathway initiatives.

The focus on service-led solutions may help address both immediate staffing challenges and longer-term workforce sustainability.

Regional and remote communities a clear priority

Of the 37 successful applicants, 29 are based in regional and remote Western Australia.

This is likely to be welcomed by many providers operating outside metropolitan areas, where workforce shortages can be more acute and recruitment options more limited.

The regional focus also reflects the importance of ensuring children and families across the State have access to stable, high-quality early learning and care services regardless of location.

Part of a larger workforce strategy

The grants program is the first of four planned funding rounds under the Cook Government’s $3 million commitment.

It also expands eligibility beyond previous regional-focused initiatives to include:

• for-profit providers
• not-for-profit organisations
• local government services
• OSHC providers.

This broader reach recognises that workforce pressures are being felt across a wide range of service models and settings.

Why workforce investment matters

The quality and continuity of ECEC services are closely linked to workforce capability, wellbeing and stability.

When services face ongoing vacancies or high turnover, the impacts may include:

• pressure on existing teams
• reduced continuity for children
• limited leadership capacity
• challenges in maintaining occupancy
• less flexibility for planning and development.

Targeted workforce grants can provide providers with practical support to trial local solutions that may not otherwise be possible.

Minister highlights sector importance

Early Childhood Minister Sabine Winton said the Government was committed to supporting services to attract and retain high-quality educators.

She noted that quality ECEC and OSHC services play an important role in supporting children’s health, safety and wellbeing.

A positive signal for the sector

With three further funding rounds still to come, the Attraction and Retention Grants program signals sustained government attention on one of the sector’s most pressing challenges.

As demand for early learning and outside school hours care continues to grow, workforce initiatives such as these are likely to remain central to service sustainability.

For Western Australian providers, the latest announcement offers both immediate support and a sign that workforce reform remains firmly on the policy agenda.

Read the full media announcement here.