Affordability & Accessibility LATEST STORIES

Economics

Policy

Research

Workforce

ECEC workforce exceeds 268,000, but access and equity gaps remain

Australia’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce now exceeds 268,000, according to the 2024 National Workforce Census. While qualifications are improving and enrolments are rising, the sector continues to face staffing pressures, limited capacity and persistent equity gaps, particularly in rural and low income communities.

2025-05-08 10:45:11

by Isabella Southwell

Economics

Policy

Coorong council consults community to address early learning access gaps

Coorong District Council is seeking local input as part of a feasibility study into child care needs across the region. With ongoing early learning shortages and “child care desert” status identified in past reports, the council has engaged Community Early Learning Australia to assess local demand and recommend solutions. Residents can now share their feedback online or attend consultation sessions scheduled throughout May.

2025-05-06 13:08:23

by Isabella Southwell

Economics

Quality

New public preschools on the way for Illawarra and south coast families

Families across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions are set to benefit from a significant expansion of public preschool infrastructure, with contracts awarded for the construction of nine new fee free facilities. These preschools will be co-located with existing public schools.

2025-05-05 10:30:36

by Fiona Alston

Economics

2025 childcare and early learning real estate summit

Childcare & Early Learning Real Estate Summit is on 7–8 May 2025, bringing together over 250 operators, developers, investors, and industry suppliers to discuss the evolving landscape of childcare real estate in Australia.

2025-05-01 08:30:42

by Fiona Alston

Workforce

Economics

Policy

Educators call for change in early learning sector through new national campaign

A new national campaign led by early childhood educators has been launched. It calls for reforms to strengthen regulation, staffing, and public provision in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector.

2025-04-29 12:45:24

by Isabella Southwell

Affordability & Accessibility LATEST STORIES

ECEC workforce exceeds 268,000, but access and equity gaps remain

Coorong council consults community to address early learning access gaps

New public preschools on the way for Illawarra and south coast families

2025 childcare and early learning real estate summit

Educators call for change in early learning sector through new national campaign

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