Maranoa Regional Council allocates $100k to combat childcare shortage

A regional Queensland council is allocating big bucks to alleviate the impact of staff shortages at childcare centres in the region. Find out if you’re eligible for a bursary of up to $5000 here.

Member for Warrego Ann Leahy,praised Maranoa Regional Council's Childcare Educators Bursary as a necessary step in the right direction.

Childcare workers in the Maranoa region might be eligible for substantial bursaries if they plan on staying and working in the region.

Maranoa Regional Council has set aside $100,000 for a range of bursaries in an effort to attract and retain qualified childcare educators, to combat ongoing staff shortages in the sector.

Bursaries of different amounts are available, depending on the applicant’s qualifications, and how long they intend to work in the Maranoa.

The bursary is geared towards childcare educators who have completed their education, or will complete their education in 2024, and intend to work in the region for at least a year.

With a relevant certificate three, childcare educators could be eligible for a $1000 bursary. With a relevant diploma or bachelors, childcare professionals could be eligible for $2000 or $3000 respectively.

After three years working in the Maranoa, childcare educators with a diploma or bachelors could be eligible for a retention bursary of up to $5000.

This scheme was unanimously approved by the Maranoa Regional Council in their November 8 meeting, in an effort to improve access to childcare for locals.

Member for Warrego Ann Leahy said the program would help to ease the staff shortages which are hindering childcare services in the community.

“The bursary is a step in the right direction and will help with staff retention in local childcare services,” Ms Leahy said.

“From my visits and discussions with local Roma childcare providers, staff retention is a major issue in the current tight labour market.

“Anything that can attract or retain staff in the childcare sector will assist the Roma community.”

Applicants can apply for the bursary here, and applications close on March 31.

Originally published as Maranoa Regional Council allocates $100k to combat childcare shortage