Crossing guard shortage leaves 225 schools without school crossing supervisors

A big drive is underway to address a shortage of lollipop men and women, with people needed to patrol pedestrian areas outside more than 200 public schools across NSW.

More than 200 NSW public schools are being left without dedicating pedestrian crossing supervisors as the state government struggles to recruit enough lollipop men and women to fill the safety roles.

Transport for NSW is trying to fill 311 vacancies for school crossing supervisors to help children safely cross roads outside public primary and high schools across the state.

Of the 311 vacant positions, 86 roles are being covered by casual staff or applicants going through pre-employment checks – leaving 225 schools without dedicated supervisors.

In areas where vacancies persist, schools have options for principals and teachers to don high-vis jackets to step in and take on the early morning and afternoon road safety roles.

Areas with vacancies span across all corners of state, including Bondi, Dubbo, Forestville, Mona Vale, Tweed Heads, Sutherland, Lindfield and Chester Hill.

Transport for NSW is trying to fill the vacancies.

A Transport for NSW spokesman said the department was actively recruiting supervisors and encouraged community members interested in roles to apply.

“School crossing supervisors play a significant role in keeping children safe alongside other measures, such as school zone flashing lights and pedestrian safety infrastructure,” the spokesman said.

More than 200 schools do not have dedicated crossing staff.

The shortage of supervisors comes as the latest government road safety figures show the number of school-aged children injured while walking on roads in NSW reached 176 in 2022, up from 160 in the previous 12-month period.

WalkSydney member Tegan Mitchell said the shortage of positions was concerning, particularly as roads across the state became more and more congested.

“We know the rates of children walking to school are in decline. It’s halved in 20 years,” she said.

“Walking is a really good thing for people to do and to encourage that you need to have crossings where children are able to cross roads safely.

Supervisors help children cross roads to access schools.

“If the vacancies are putting people off from walking to school, it’s a big problem.”

Transport for NSW said in a statement that schools across NSW had other measures in place to ensure pedestrian safety, including 40km/h limits in pick up and drop off periods.

“School crossings where there are school crossing supervisor vacancies are within the 40km/h school zones (and) more than 6800 school zone flashing lights are now in place across NSW to warn motorists when they are about to enter a 40km/h school zone,” the spokesman said.

Current vacancy ads show casual crossing staff can be paid $31.58 per hour while a permanent part role is being advertised for $24.67 per hour.

One recruitment ad states taking up a job can offering a chance to “become a road safety hero that is held in very high esteem in our communities and vital to the safety of our kids”.

“You’ll also grow to be a much-loved familiar face around the school with a unique opportunity to touch the lives of countless families and get a kick out of making community relationships, keeping kids safe while earning a weekly wage for doing something you love and enjoy,” it stated.

As well as trying to fill the vacancies via job websites, Transport for NSW is also using career fairs and letterbox drops in its recruitment drive with schools also asked to advertise within their school community.