ECT Vacancy at Your Centre? Here's Why It's So Hard to Fill and How to Fix It

If your centre has an Early Childhood Teacher vacancy sitting open for more than four weeks, you are not alone. ECT roles are consistently among the most difficult positions to fill in regional Australia — and the shortage is structural, not temporary.

Jobs and Skills Australia's 2025 Occupation Shortage Driver Report names ECTs as having "a long training gap" — meaning even if universities enrolled every available student today, the shortage would continue for years. The 2024 ECEC Workforce Capacity Study puts the national shortfall at 21,000+ qualified professionals.

For regional centres, this national shortage becomes a regional crisis. Here is why — and what to do about it.

WHY ECTS CHOOSE METRO OVER REGIONAL

ECTs invest four years in a university degree. When they graduate, they evaluate their options on career outcomes, salary and lifestyle. Metro centres historically offered more of each.

The perception gap — not always the reality — is that regional centres offer lower salaries, fewer professional development opportunities and less career progression. Centres that actively counter this narrative attract candidates that others don't.

WHAT WORKS TO ATTRACT ECTS TO REGIONAL ROLES

Be explicit about the Worker Retention Payment. Many educators — including ECTs — don't know this payment exists or how it applies to them. Under the Children's Services Award with the Worker Retention Payment, ECT salaries in regional centres can reach $75,000–$95,000+ depending on experience, centre type and state. Spell this out in your job advertisement and in every conversation.

Lead with career progression. A talented ECT in a regional centre often becomes an Educational Leader or Director faster than their metro counterparts. The path is shorter and the recognition is greater. If your centre has this story to tell — tell it.

Offer relocation support. Even $1,500–$2,500 in relocation assistance removes a major barrier for interstate ECT candidates. It signals that your centre is serious about attracting talent, not just posting and hoping.

Go national, not just local. Your ECT candidate may be in Brisbane while your centre is in Shepparton. A recruitment platform with a national candidate database reaches them. A local Seek ad does not.

INTERNATIONAL ECTS VIA DAMA

For centres in DAMA-eligible regions, it is possible to sponsor qualified international ECTs under specific visa pathways — including the Orana DAMA (NSW), Goulburn Valley DAMA (VIC), Far North Queensland DAMA and Townsville NQ DAMA, among others.

This is a complex process requiring a registered migration agent (MARN). Vhire is not a migration agent and does not provide visa advice. However, we work with trusted MARN partners and can refer eligible centres to the right professionals. Contact us to explore whether your centre qualifies.

HOW VHIRE FINDS ECTS FOR REGIONAL CENTRES

Vhire maintains an active pipeline of ECT candidates nationally — including educators open to regional relocation. Our AI-powered screening assesses ACECQA-approved qualifications, teaching experience across age groups, and genuine motivation to relocate before a candidate reaches your desk.

We understand NQF requirements for ECT qualifications and the specific qualification standards that apply in each state. We don't guess — we verify.

If your centre has an ECT vacancy, contact Vhire at info@vhire.com.au or visit vhire.com.au/hire-staff to discuss how we can help.