Vhire is an Australian AI-powered childcare recruitment platform. We place qualified early childhood educators in permanent, full-time roles across regional NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA and NT.

Which regions does Vhire recruit in?

Vhire operates across all Australian states with a focus on regional areas including regional NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Does Vhire help with childcare recruitment?

Yes. Vhire specialises in childcare recruitment across regional Australia, placing Certificate III educators, Diploma educators, Early Childhood Teachers, Room Leaders and Centre Directors in permanent, full-time roles.

How does Vhire's AI-powered recruitment work?

Vhire uses AI-powered screening to match employer vacancy requirements against a national and international candidate database, delivering pre-screened, interview-ready candidates faster than traditional job advertising.

What is the DAMA visa program for regional employers?

The Designated Area Migration Agreement allows regional Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers with concessions not available through standard visa pathways. Vhire refers eligible employers to trusted registered migration agent partners. Vhire is not a migration agent.

How do I post a childcare vacancy with Vhire?

Brief us on a role at vhire.com.au/employers or email info@vhire.com.au. We'll be in touch to talk through your role.

What does the Worker Retention Payment mean for childcare recruitment?

The Worker Retention Payment adds 10% above award rates for eligible childcare educators from December 2024, rising to 15% from December 2025. Regional centres can now compete with metro on pay. Vhire briefs every candidate on the WRP as standard.

What childcare qualifications does Vhire screen for?

Vhire screens for Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121), Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121), Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and ACECQA-assessed equivalent international qualifications.

What is Vhire's placement guarantee?

Vhire conducts post-placement check-ins at day 7, day 30 and day 90. If a placed educator leaves within the guarantee period, Vhire initiates a replacement search at no additional placement fee.

Finding Educators for Regional NSW Childcare Centres: DAMA Areas and How Vhire Helps

Nov 20, 2025

4 min read

Updated: Oct 16

Recruiting qualified educators for childcare centres in regional New South Wales (NSW) presents real challenges. Many centres struggle to find Certificate III and Diploma educators, Early Childhood Teachers and Room Leaders who are willing to relocate to smaller towns. Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) are one tool the Australian Government uses to help some regions sponsor overseas workers, but coverage and occupation lists vary and change. Understanding the regional NSW landscape, and how a childcare recruitment service like Vhire can help, is a good place to start.

Eye-level view of a rural town in New South Wales with open fields and distant hills — A regional town in NSW surrounded by hills

What Is a DAMA?

DAMA stands for Designated Area Migration Agreement. These are arrangements between the Australian Government and particular regions that can allow employers there to sponsor overseas workers for positions they cannot fill locally. Each agreement has its own area, occupation list and eligibility settings, and whether early childhood roles are included depends on the current agreement.

For childcare centres, the key point is simple: check with a registered migration agent whether a current agreement covers your town and the educator roles you need. Vhire is not a migration agent and does not give visa advice, but connects centres with registered migration agent partners who can.

Regional NSW Areas Where Centres Need Educators

Childcare centres across regional NSW face similar staffing pressures, though each area is different. The regions below are a guide to where centres often look beyond their local area for educators. They are not a list of DAMA coverage.

1. Western NSW

Centres in towns such as Dubbo and Broken Hill can find it hard to attract Early Childhood Teachers and Diploma educators, particularly for long day care and preschool rooms.

2. Far West NSW

Smaller communities such as Wentworth and Balranald have small local candidate pools, so centres often need educators willing to relocate.

3. Orana

Towns like Cobar, Nyngan and Gilgandra may have only one or two services, making each educator vacancy especially important to local families.

4. New England North West

Centres in Armidale, Tamworth and Inverell often compete for qualified educators, especially Early Childhood Teachers and Educational Leaders.

5. Riverina

Growing towns such as Wagga Wagga and Griffith see steady demand for childcare places and for educators to staff long day care, preschool and OSHC services.

6. Murray

Along the southern border, centres in Albury and Deniliquin look for Room Leaders, Diploma educators and Centre Directors to support local families.

How Vhire Supports Childcare Recruitment in Regional NSW

Recruiting educators for regional centres needs a focus on early childhood education and an understanding of small communities. Vhire works only in childcare and supports centres through each stage of hiring.

Focus on Regional Childcare

Vhire understands the challenges regional NSW centres face. It only puts forward educators who are genuinely willing to live and work in your centre’s town, whether they are already in Australia or overseas.

Referrals for Visa Questions

Vhire does not manage visa applications or give visa advice. Where a centre is considering an overseas educator, Vhire connects the centre with registered migration agent partners who can advise on any sponsorship or visa steps.

Access to a Broader Candidate Pool

Vhire sources candidates through its network and the major job boards, widening your reach beyond local applicants to qualified educators across Australia and overseas.

AI-Powered Matching and Interviews

Vhire uses AI-powered screening and matching, then interviews every candidate and checks qualifications, WWCC, National Police Check and First Aid. This helps match educators to your rooms and community.

Support for Centres and Educators

After an educator starts, Vhire checks in at day 7, day 30 and day 90. If an eligible placement ends within three months, a replacement is provided in line with Vhire’s placement terms.

How This Could Work for NSW Centres

A long day care centre in the Riverina needing an Early Childhood Teacher: Vhire could source and interview candidates, provide a shortlist of 3–5 with interview scorecards, and complete two reference checks on the preferred candidate.
A preschool in Western NSW considering an overseas Diploma educator: Vhire could introduce suitable candidates and connect the centre with a registered migration agent partner to discuss whether any visa pathway applies.
A group of centres in New England North West hiring for several rooms: Vhire could run recruitment for each position, matching educators to each centre’s town, philosophy and age groups.

Benefits of Using Vhire for Regional NSW Centres

Pay Only When You Hire: There is no upfront fee, and you are invoiced on the educator’s start date.
Improved Candidate Quality: Every candidate is interviewed and checked before reaching your shortlist.
Regional Understanding: Vhire focuses on regional childcare and on educators willing to live in your town.
Ongoing Support: Check-ins after the start date help new educators settle and support retention.
Clear Advice Pathways: Visa questions go to registered migration agent partners, so you get advice from qualified professionals.

What Centres Should Know About DAMA

Centres considering DAMA as one option should keep the following in mind:

Each DAMA covers a specific region and has its own occupation list.
Requirements for positions and sponsors are set by each agreement and can change.
A registered migration agent can explain what applies to your centre and role.
Sponsoring employers take on obligations, so get advice before making commitments.
Working with a childcare recruitment partner like Vhire alongside a registered migration agent keeps each step in the right hands.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Vhire is a recruitment service, not a registered migration agent. This article is general information only and is not immigration or visa advice. DAMA occupation lists and eligibility vary by agreement and change over time. For advice about your situation, please consult a registered migration agent. Contact us to be connected with one of our registered migration agent partners.