FIFO childcare workers lured to regional WA with the promise of big pay and adventure

Lucrative salaries, free qualifications and the chance of outback adventure.

The attractive conditions are part of a pitch to lure fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) childcare staff to regional WA — where worker shortages have left services at risk of closure.

Staff willing to head to centres in the Pilbara, Gascoyne, Kimberley and Goldfields can earn up to $150,000 a year, depending on qualifications and the position.

Permanent FIFO educators work a roster of two weeks on, one week off, while casual staff are contracted on a different schedule, depending on need.

“The pay rate is based on the casual award rate, with a daily living away from home allowance,” One Tree Community Services chief executive Karri Hillier told 7NEWS.com.au.

“Dependent on the location and roster, it is comparable to a permanent FIFO worker salary.”

Not-for-profit organisation One Tree has run its ‘EduTribe FIFO program’ for a number of years.

It recently secured state government funding for its new 12-month Regional Early Years Learn and Lead (REYLL) project — helping childcare providers with recruitment, professional coaching, training and resources.

One Tree will help regional childcare services in the REYLL program to recruit and train local workers.

And, where there are gaps, it will provide access to its casual EduTribe FIFO workers.

Hillier says childcare work is a “demanding” profession with “high levels of responsibility”.

But she says flexibility, freedom and adventure in far-flung corners of the state are selling points for workers keen for a change.

“It’s also very rewarding, providing opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families while benefiting communities and business,” she said.

“For a section of the workforce — as with the mining sector — FIFO is an appealing option and a lifestyle choice.

“What EduTribe has shown us is that there are a willing group of educators and teachers interested in the incentives, the lifestyle and the adventure.

“FIFO also provides the opportunity to ‘try before you buy’.

“Some of our FIFO staff have opted to relocate and live locally when they have found a centre they love.”

Data released by the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) in late 2023 found the sector’s “ongoing workforce crisis” was denying Australian families thousands of childcare places.

“Our members have reported for years now that staff recruitment and retention is one of the biggest issues in the sector,” ACA president Paul Mondo said at the time.

“There is a critical need for more government support to help attract and retain early learning educators.”

It is particularly difficult for families in country towns, often classified as “childcare deserts”.

The term refers to populated areas where there are more than three children for every one childcare place.

“In rural and remote communities, some childcare centres are operating at 60 per cent capacity due to a lack of staff,” Hillier said.

“Some have had to close.

“As you would expect regional areas are impacted the most when there are national workforce shortages.”

Urgent fix

A group of more than 50 rural and regional organisations recently called for an urgent fix to the sector.

The Access for Every Child Coalition, led by advocacy group The Parenthood, has asked for six actions to address shortages.

They include subsidies for regional early education providers that are not tied to enrolment numbers.

It is also calling for the federal government to manage the sector with its state, territory and local counterparts to achieve universal access, as well as incentivising rural childcare workers.

While some of those strategies may take time to develop, the coalition is urging the government to provide short-term solutions such as funding for mobile early learning centres.

- With AAP