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Employer guide

Hire a Childcare Educator in Australia

To hire a childcare educator, confirm the approved qualification, the state working with children check and the child safety training your service must hold, and apply the Children's Services Award, which has used eight levels since 1 March 2026. CrossNation recruits childcare educators for employers across Australia. The fee is 12% of the annual salary, charged only on a successful placement.

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By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 6 October 2026.

  • 12% of annual salary

    Charged only when a placement succeeds. No placement, no fee.

  • 90-day placement guarantee

    See our terms.

Official data

Key facts from official sources

What you need to know

What qualifications and checks must you confirm?

Approved providers must meet the National Quality Framework, and ACECQA publishes the list of approved early childhood education and care qualifications and the rules on who counts towards staffing. In centre-based services for children preschool age or under, at least half the educators counted must hold or be working towards an approved diploma, and all others an approved certificate III. Confirm each educator's qualification against the ACECQA list, or that the person is actively working towards one, and record what you sighted. Every educator needs a check to work with children, and the name and process differ by state, for example the Working With Children Check in Victoria and the blue card in Queensland. Also check that the service has staff with current first aid, anaphylaxis and asthma management training.

What has changed since 2026?

Two changes affect hiring. From 27 February 2026 everyone involved in providing NQF-regulated education and care must complete mandatory national child safety training, starting with the Foundations for Child Safety module, and staff must complete the child protection training that each state or territory specifies. From 1 March 2026 the Children's Services Award replaced its old classifications and 36 minimum rates with eight Children's Services Employee levels, after a Fair Work Commission pay equity decision. Update your position descriptions, contracts and onboarding checklists, and ask each candidate for their child safety training date alongside their check.

How do you describe the role to educators?

Educators choose a service by room, age group and roster. State whether the role is long day care, kindergarten, outside school hours care or family day care, the age group, start and finish times, whether you offer split or part-time rosters and the opportunities for study or progression. Describe the educational program and leadership, and the support for new educators, such as a mentor. If you need an early childhood teacher, say so, because the qualification and award coverage differ from those for certificate III and diploma educators. Remember that ratios are counted across the whole service, so tell candidates how rooms are staffed across the day.

Which award covers educators, and how do you classify them?

Many educators are covered by the Children's Services Award [MA000120], which sets levels, rostering rules, breaks, allowances and leave, while early childhood teachers are generally covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award and larger providers often have enterprise agreements. The award ties level 3, the qualified educator, to an approved certificate III, level 5, the advanced educator, to a diploma, and levels 6 to 8 to room leaders, assistant directors and directors. Record the classification in the contract. The award also sets a casual loading of 25%, a two hour minimum engagement for part-time rosters and casual engagements, and two hours a week of non-contact time for an educator who prepares the program. We do not publish pay figures here. Use the Fair Work Pay Calculator and the award text to cost the roster.

What helps new educators settle in?

New educators judge a service by how the first weeks go. Pair them with a room leader, explain the program, routines and family communication system, and walk through emergency procedures, sign-in and sign-out and supervision practices before they are counted in the room. Check that first aid, anaphylaxis and asthma plans are understood. Regular check-ins during the first months help you find out what support is needed, and clear paths towards a diploma or a leadership role help you keep good educators.

Before you brief a recruiter: childcare educator checklist

Checklist

  • Check the qualification against the ACECQA approved list
  • Confirm the working with children check for your state
  • Confirm national child safety training and state child protection training
  • Confirm current first aid, anaphylaxis and asthma training in the team
  • State room, age group and roster in the brief
  • Decide the award, level and classification
  • Explain mentoring, study support and non-contact time

Tell us the role, location and start date

The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can I hire an educator who is still studying?

Often yes, if they are actively working towards an approved qualification, but how they count towards staffing follows the National Quality Framework. Confirm the rules with your regulatory authority.

Does a check in one state cover another?

No. Checks are issued by each state or territory, so confirm the one required where the service operates.

What is the difference between an educator and a teacher?

Educators hold a certificate III or diploma, while early childhood teachers hold an approved degree and lead the educational program where required. Awards and staffing rules differ.

What is the ratio for a toddler room?

Children over 24 months and under 36 months are one educator to five children in every jurisdiction except Victoria, where it is one to four. Babies up to 24 months are one to four everywhere. Ratios are counted across the whole service.

How does CrossNation charge to recruit a childcare educator?

The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds, and placements carry a 90-day placement guarantee. There is no charge to send a brief. CrossNation recruits childcare educators for employers across Australia, and you can send the role, location and start date through the employer enquiry form.

Can I recruit an overseas childcare educator through CrossNation?

CrossNation recruits sponsorship-ready overseas candidates for employers that want them. ACECQA qualification recognition and state checks are separate from any visa, and childcare roles are treated differently on skilled lists. The employer holds or obtains its own approval, and CrossNation cannot promise a visa, an approval or a job. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.

Related

Sources (accessed 6 October 2026)