Workers offered $150,000 to live and work in this Australian state

Childcare workers are in high demand across Australia as increasing numbers of workers leave for higher-paying jobs in fields such as aged care.

But some towns in regional Western Australia are so desperately short of childcare staff that they are offering up to $150,000 a year to attract and retain staff.

Those who want to work in the Pilbara, Gascoyne, Kimberley and Goldfields regions can earn exorbitant salaries depending on their qualifications.

The huge wages are needed to attract workers to fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) daycares in mining towns, where staff shortages have left some services at risk of closure.

Full-time FIFO staff work on a two-week basis, with one week off.

“The pay rate is based on the casual reward rate, with a daily subsistence allowance away from home,” Karri Hillier, executive director of One Tree Community Services, told 7News.

One Tree is a not-for-profit organization that recently secured State Government funding for its new 12-month Regional Early Learning and Leadership (REYLL) project.

This will help area child care providers with hiring, training and resources.

One Tree will help REYLL program services recruit and train local workers, but where there are gaps, these will be filled by its EduTribe FIFO contingent workers.

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Ms Hillier said flexibility, freedom and rural adventure are attractive to many workers looking for a change.

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

“FIFO also offers the opportunity to “try before you buy”.

“Some FIFO staff have chosen to move and live locally after finding a center they love.”

Late last year, the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) released data showing the sector’s “persistent workforce crisis” meant thousands of Australian families were unable to secure childcare spaces.

“Our members have been reporting for years that recruitment and retention is one of the most significant issues facing the industry,” ACA President Paul Mondo said at the time.

“There is a critical need for increased government support to help attract and retain early childhood educators.

Tensions have been particularly felt in regional towns, often referred to as “childcare deserts” – where there are more than three children for every location.

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

WA’s regional mining towns are hoping the lure of earning up to $150,000 a year will solve the problem in their areas.