The Real Cost of a Childcare Educator Vacancy in Regional NSW

Ask most NSW centre directors how much a vacant educator position costs and they'll quote the unfilled wages. The real number — including lost revenue, compliance risk and team strain — is dramatically higher.

THE FINANCIAL BREAKDOWN

Lost enrolment revenue: When you're short an educator, you cap enrolments to maintain NQF ratios. For example, at $120 per child per day, five capped enrolments over four weeks = $12,000 in lost revenue.

Casual relief costs: Casual rates run approximately 25% above permanent equivalent rates. Four weeks of casual coverage: $4,000–$6,000.

Management time: A centre director can spend many hours per vacancy on advertising, reviewing applications, phone screens, interviews and references. At the effective hourly value of a director's time, this adds up quickly.

Secondary turnover: Team strain from a vacancy drives secondary departures. One resignation can trigger another — multiplying all costs.

TOTAL COST

Add these together and a single educator vacancy lasting four to six weeks can cost a regional NSW childcare centre far more than the unfilled wages alone.

With Vhire there is no upfront fee: you pay only when you hire, with the invoice issued on the educator's start date and 14 days to pay.

Contact Vhire at info@vhire.com.au or visit vhire.com.au/employers.