Last February the Australian Bureau of Statistics (the ABS) commenced a comprehensive review of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).These occupation classifications are extremely important, as they are used in the context of the regular collection of data, such as the Australian census. These classifications can dramatically impact how whole industries and sectors are reflected in the statistical analysis of Australia's economy.
As part of this review, the ABS invited industry leaders, organisations and individuals for their thoughts and feedback on the the accuracy of the current occupation skill levels and descriptions, along with any occupations anticipated to emerge in the next 5 to 10 years.
This was a golden opportunity for the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA), as we have long believed that some of the terminology used to describe our valued early childhood educators is outdated and doesn't accurately reflect the specific skillsets, knowledge and qualifications required to work in our sector.
In April we consulted with each of our ACA State Bodies as well as our owner/operator members, seeking their views on the various classifications that apply to our sector. Our main focus was on updating the language, improving the occupation titles and descriptions, associated qualifications, tasks and responsibilities for each role and the organisational structures of centres. We're very grateful to our Executive Committee and those of our members who provided their feedback on this topic.
We then collated, summarised and shared our feedback with the ABS in April of this year via ACA's ANZSCO submission.
PLEASE COMPLETE OUR SURVEY TO HELP DEMONSTRATE THE IMPACT OF STAFF SHORTAGES
As an early learning service provider, you would be very much aware that staff shortages are a key issue impacting our sector, with some services impacted more severely than others, depending on their individual circumstances.
We're seeking your immediate feedback on capping enrolments to create a powerful set of statistics that helps to demonstrate the severity of the problem and the impact on families and the local community.
We need your capping enrolment statistics for the week of Monday 9 May through to Friday 12 May.
OVERVIEW OF ACCC CHILDCARE INQUIRY
As all early learning service providers would now be well aware, in October last year the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) was directed by the Treasurer to conduct an inquiry into the market for the supply of childcare services.
The aim of the inquiry is to explore the factors that contribute to the cost of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services in Australia. The inquiry will examine and consider matters including costs and availability of labour, the use of land and related costs, finance and administrative costs, regulatory compliance costs, the costs of consumables and how the family fees charged since 2018 have changed following updates in childcare policy settings.
The ACCC will be looking at how operation costs and fees for families differ across the sector, particularly between not-for-profit and privately-run services, regional, remote and metropolitan locations.
Our friends at Child Care Super are cognisant of the fact that the mental health and wellbeing of staff is a priority for our sector.
It is in this context that Child Care Super have partnered with Metlife and Teladoc Health to give members access to 360Health Virtual Care - a safe and convenient way for you and your team of staff to access health care advice from home, provided at no cost to Child Care Super members.
To celebrate this new partnership, Child Care Super invites you to join them at one of their upcoming 360Health Virtual Care Roadshows.