457 visas for child care workers - CareforKids.com.au®

457 Visas for Child Care Workers?

Leading Australian child care provider, Guardian Childcare Alliance has called on the Federal Government to offer 457 visas to child care workers with appropriate qualifications.

Guardian has called on the Government to overhaul the system to help child care providers cope with new staffing requirements set to take effect in 2014.

Speaking to The Australian Guardian's chief executive Tom Hardwick says significant changes are needed.

"At the moment child care workers are not eligible to come to Australia on the 457 visa and as such we are experiencing a shortage in the country," he said.

Guardian has asked that diploma qualified child care workers be added to the list of eligible professions on the 457 visa. Currently only bachelor qualified workers are eligible to be included.

"We are losing good staff because of the working holiday rules and even if we want to sponsor an employee we cannot," he added.

A spokesperson for Early Childhood Minister Peter Garrett told The Australian that the proposal would be considered.