ChildCare in Australia to be given a boost with New Funding

The government has today announced a $300 million boost of funding for the childcare industry, increasing worker's salaries by a whopping 15% in some cases. But this comes with a catch, that the workers must now have a minimum TAFE qualification to apply for work at a childcare centre.

Following on from reports at the end of 2012 regarding the increasingly declining numbers of workers in the childcare sector, and high profile cases both in Australia of the ABC Childcare Centre, and also overseas, Education Minister Peter Garrett has said the move will help the neglected sector retain its staff.

"We have listened to the sector and to parents and we are pleased to introduce this fund to help attract and retain qualified staff," Garrett told Fairfax.

"We know that quality early childhood education and care is dependent on having a qualified and professional workforce," he said.

Early Childhood Australia chief executive Samantha Page told SmartCompany a longer-term funding model is still needed.

"We think any increase in wages is important and valued, but we do want to keep working with the government to establish a long-term sustainable model of improving salaries."

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