The 2021 Early Childhood Education and Care National Workforce Census report 
provides a national overview of the early childhood education and care workforce. The information collected assists the Australian Government and states and territories to develop and implement early childhood education and care (ECEC) policy.
On analysis of this report, the following trends were identified for the ACT ECEC sector:
- There is a higher proportion of younger workers (15 to 24 years old) in the ACT than the national average.
- The ACT has a higher percentage of educators working in Out of School Hours (OSHC) at 20% and Vacation Care 14% compared to the national average of at 15%, and 11% respectively.
- Educators working in the ACT have lower levels of experience than the national average. Of the ACT ECEC workforce, 54% have three years or less experience in the sector, compared to 43% nationally.
- Educators in the ACT ECEC non-government services are less qualified than the national average across all qualification levels.
- 8% of educators hold a bachelor’s degree or above, compared to 11% nationally.
- 27% hold an advanced diploma or diploma, compared to 37% nationally.
- 24% hold a Certificate III/IV, compared to 26% nationally.
- 58% of the ECEC workforce in the ACT are paid above award wages compared to 34% nationally.
ACT Early Childhood Education and Care Workforce
For more information about these findings read the ACT Early Childhood Education and Care Workforce paper 
(351kb).
National Workforce Strategy
The National Workforce Strategy , Shaping our Future 2022-2031, is a national strategy to support the complex issues of recruitment, retention, sustainability and quality in the ECEC sector. To complement the strategy, ACECQA has published an online Workforce Snapshot that brings together different data sets to provide a sector workforce profile.
Set up for Success: An Early Childhood Strategy for the ACT
As part of Set up for Success: An Early Childhood Strategy for the ACT and the ACT Government is working on:
- Professional recognition.
- Attraction and retention.
- Leadership and capability.
To learn more visit: National Workforce Strategy Implementation and Evaluation Plan released.