Do you love working with children? Kids need nurturing and inspiring role models to grow into happy and healthy adults. Australia’s childcare and education industry have plenty of fulfilling and rewarding career choices. How can you contribute to the growing young minds of Australia’s future? Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about Australia’s childcare industry.
Australia’s Childcare Industry at a Glance
Australian children are in daycare 24-36 hours weekly.
Nearly 1.7 million children attended approved childcare and were eligible for childcare Subsidy in 2018.
As of early 2019, there were 13,785 approved childcare services operating in Australia.
Australian families paid an average of $10.15 an hour for centre-based daycare and $7.35 for outside school hours daycare in 2018 (before subsidy).
HOW MUCH WILL I MAKE?
Salaries range greatly throughout the childcare industry, depending on your seniority and specialisation.
Part-time childcare positions on average earn $614 per week but vary greatly ($450-$950 per week).
The average pay for a Childcare Assistant is around $41,600 (working in Sydney) per year (full-time).
On the management track, such as a Child Care Centre Director or Coordinator, the average salary is $66,144 per year.
Educational research positions can earn an average of $105,196 per year, but usually require advanced degrees in childhood education.
WHAT ARE THE HOURS?
The average weekly hours for a position in childcare is 35.9. Since employers vary from childcare centres, hospitals, educational centres and private care, being a childcare worker has a variety of options. Your position could have “regular” hours, or it could be “shift” work. Some positions might start in the morning, others might start in the evening. Across the industry, it is quite variable.
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
Working in childcare can be intense but rewarding. Working with kids requires high energy and a fast pace. You will need to be standing most of the day and quick on your feet. There can also be some lifting involved. Good fitness and health will give you the stamina to keep up with the fun!
WHO WORKS IN CHILDCARE?
Out of the almost 150,000 childcare workers in Australia, a whopping 93% per cent of which are female. Slightly less than half of them (46%) work full-time.
WHAT TYPE OF CAREERS ARE AVAILABLE?
Studying childcare and education opens up many different career path options.
Here are some fantastic examples of how you can work in the childcare and education industry.
If you work in education, you can be an early childhood teacher or a primary school teacher. You can also be an education aide or out of school hours care provider. Childcare providers require centre managers and daycare workers. Flexible options include becoming a nanny or opening your own childcare service.
The number of childcare jobs is expected to reach over 180,000 by 2023. With the Australian Government spending nearly $7 billion annually to help Australian families get access to affordable childcare, it doesn’t look like the industry is slowing down any time soon.
*Want a closer look at the statistics? Job Outlook
Working in childcare — do you have what it takes?
Ask yourself:
AM I PATIENT? KIND? COMPASSIONATE?
As a childcare worker, you will be responsible for giving educational, social, and intellectual support to children in order to foster growth and development.
AM I ENERGETIC AND ENTHUSIASTIC?
The constant contact and action of childcare is not for everyone. If you are passionate and enthusiastic, this job is for you!
AM I FLEXIBLE AND CAN EASILY TAKE ON NEW TASKS AS THEY COME?
Every day will be different! Some days you will prepare activities such as games or meals, on other days you will spend time individually with each child. Every day you will work with your team to ensure the safe and nurturing environment for the youth in your care.
And most importantly…
DO I LOVE WORKING WITH CHILDREN?
Working with children is one of the most rewarding career paths someone can embark on, but it is not all sunshine and rainbows. Kids cry, throw tantrums, dirty diapers, scream, shove, and dirty things. It is important that you really do love working with children.
AM I PASSIONATE ABOUT SHAPING YOUNG MINDS?
Even though working with children is a lot of fun, it is a big responsibility. Childcare workers spend a huge chunk of time with children, they are a big part of the kid’s life. No matter how you care for them, they will look to you as someone to emulate. Make sure you are up for the task. It’s all about them, after all!
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
Taking the next step is simple. If you want to make a difference in the lives of children, want to start a new career or change jobs, you can get your Childcare qualification here.
We offer:
CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care: Must love kids! This qualification is the minimum legal requirement for early childhood educators in Australia and can lead to a range of potential career opportunities including Early Childhood or Family Day Care Educator and Playgroup Supervisor. The nationally recognised CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care will give you the qualification, skills and knowledge to begin and enhance your early childhood career.
CHC40113 Certificate IV in School Age Education and Care: Moving up one age bracket from the Early Childhood Education and Care course, School Age Education and Care is designed to provide skills to work within before and after school care programs, vacation care and family respite care. If you are seeking a career working with children who are in school and hope to create experiences that support a child’s learning and play, then this course warrants a look.
CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care: Are you are looking for a rewarding career and love working with children? If so, then the Early Childhood Education and Care course is the perfect option for you! In the years before entering full-time school, 92.6% of all Australian children were reported to be in some form of non-parental care and/or educational programs. There is an immense need for education and care professionals as the childcare industry is growing substantially in Australia.
Learn more about how to jumpstart a new career here
