Bairnsdale and East Gippsland Childcare Centres: Recruiting in Victoria's Remote East

East Gippsland is one of Australia's most extraordinary landscapes — ancient forests, wild rivers, pristine beaches and a lifestyle that is genuinely remote. For childcare centre directors in Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Orbost and the small communities of the far east, this remoteness creates recruitment challenges that are among the most acute in Victoria.

THE EAST GIPPSLAND RECRUITMENT REALITY

The local educator pool in East Gippsland is small and fully employed. Qualified educators living in Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance or Orbost are almost universally already working in childcare services that also struggle to find staff. There is effectively no local passive candidate pool to draw from.

East Gippsland recruitment requires a dedicated national sourcing strategy targeting candidates who are specifically seeking the lifestyle the region offers — and who are prepared for the realities of remote regional living.

THE EAST GIPPSLAND LIFESTYLE PROPOSITION

For the right candidate, East Gippsland is the destination, not the compromise. Surf, fishing, mountains, forests and a pace of life that is genuinely different from anything available in a capital city or even most regional centres.

Candidates who are drawn to East Gippsland tend to be: couples seeking lifestyle change, educators recovering from burnout in high-pressure metro roles, and adventurous young educators who want to experience remote Australia. These candidates, when they arrive, often become the most committed members of a regional childcare team because they chose the lifestyle deliberately.

WHAT EAST GIPPSLAND CENTRES NEED TO OFFER

To attract national candidates, East Gippsland centres need: clear relocation support (minimum $2,000–$3,000, ideally higher for the most remote locations), honest pre-start communication about housing options, genuine community connection support in the early months, and competitive remuneration that reflects the Worker Retention Payment.

Centres that invest in these elements consistently attract and retain better candidates than those that rely on the job listing alone.

HOW VHIRE RECRUITS FOR EAST GIPPSLAND

Vhire's national sourcing specifically targets the lifestyle-motivated candidate segment. We brief every candidate honestly on what life in East Gippsland involves — the isolation, the spectacular beauty, the community — so their relocation decision is fully informed.

Contact Vhire at info@vhire.com.au or visit vhire.com.au/hire-staff.