This is a question that ACA NSW has posed to the NSW Department of Education, in particular in the context of applying for a waiver.
The NSW Department of Education provided the following written clarification on 21 March 2024:
“… the NSW Early Childhood Education and Care Regulatory Authority accepts all evidence of recruitment by an approved provider.
As per the [NSW Department of Education’s] waiver policy, staffing waiver applications must provide evidence of recruitment eg advertising and the outcome of a recruitment.
Every application received from an approved provider is assessed using a risk based framework. Please see the policy at https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/early-childhood-education/operating-an-early-childhood-education-service/media/documents/policies/waiver-policy.pdf (page 11 refers).”
Please note that ACA NSW members are welcome to receive a copy of the original statement upon request.
And should ACA NSW members receive contrary instructions or information, please contact the ACA NSW team via 1300 556 330 or nsw@childcarealliance.org.au.
ACA NSW does also recommend that members use good judgement on the appropriate recruitment/advertising platform to attract candidates to fill early childhood educator and teacher positions.
PUBLISHED: 28 MARCH 2024