🔑 BLB’s Reform Priorities for Australian Early Learning

1. Establish a National Childcare Cleaning Standard
   Just as the Department of Health and Department of Education set national benchmarks, childcare needs a uniform cleaning standard to ensure consistent hygiene, infection control, and compliance across all centres.

2. Recognise Childcare Cleaning as a Compliance-Critical Profession
   Cleaning must be formally acknowledged as a professional service, required to follow national standards, with compliance reporting and service accreditations built into its delivery.

3. Separate Educator and Cleaner Roles into Distinct Positions
   Educators educate, cleaners clean. Each role must be recognised as separate and specialised, ensuring educators focus on teaching and care while dedicated cleaning crews manage compliance and hygiene.

Our 3 Reform Objectives

📊 Staffing Crisis in Australian Childcare

• ABC News (2025) – Widespread Wage Theft & Overwork
  Research revealed that over 70% of educators reported unpaid work averaging 7–9 hours per week, contributing to burnout and illness.
  🔗 Read the article ABC

• Sydney University (2025) – What Is Going Wrong With Childcare?
  Experts found many centres failing to meet regulatory standards, with staffing shortages linked to poor outcomes and unsafe environments.
  🔗 Read the article The University of Sydney

• Aussie Childcare Network (2025) – A Nation Confronts the Crisis
  Following a 60 Minutes investigation, this report highlights severe understaffing, inadequate training, and systemic failures across centres.
  🔗 Read the article Aussie Childcare Network

• Z Staffing (2025) – The Childcare Staffing Crisis
  Reports that 90% of centres struggle to fill permanent roles, with average recruitment times of 12–16 weeks and turnover rates of 30–35%.
  🔗 Read the article zstaffing.com.au

🩺 Staff Illness & Wellbeing Data

• Department of Education – Early Childhood Data & Reports
  Includes quarterly reports and the National Workforce Census, tracking educator numbers, workforce capacity, and wellbeing indicators.
  🔗 View reports Department of Education

• Jobs & Skills Australia (2024) – Workforce Capacity Study
  Extended report on the sustainability of the early childhood workforce, highlighting high turnover and stress‑related illness.
  🔗 Read the study (PDF) Jobs and Skills Australia

• Safe Work Australia (2025) – Key WHS Statistics
  Reports a national work‑related injury/illness rate of 3.5%, with childcare flagged for above‑average psychosocial stress and illness.
  🔗 View statistics data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au

• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) – Reports & Data
  Provides national health and welfare datasets, including occupational illness statistics relevant to childcare staff.
  🔗 Explore AIHW data Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

✅ Key Takeaways

• Staffing shortages are systemic, with turnover rates as high as 30–35%.

• Illness and burnout are linked to unpaid hours, stress, and poor working conditions.

• Government and peer‑reviewed reports confirm that workforce sustainability is critical to reducing illness rates and improving outcomes for both staff and children.

  📊 Childcare Staffing & Illness Evidence (Australia)

  Issue

  Key Statistic / Finding

  Source

  Unpaid Work & Burnout

  Over 70% of educators report unpaid work averaging 7–9 hours per week

  ABC News

  Turnover Rates

  Average turnover in childcare is 30–35%, with recruitment times of 12–16 weeks

  Z Staffing

  Workforce Shortages

  90% of centres struggle to fill permanent roles

  Z Staffing

  Regulatory Failures

  Many centres failing to meet standards due to staffing gaps

  Sydney University

  Stress & Illness

  Workforce sustainability study highlights stress‑related illness and high turnover

  Jobs & Skills Australia

  Work‑Related Illness Rate

  National average 3.5%, childcare flagged for above‑average psychosocial stress

  Safe Work Australia

👉 Partner with BLB today — let us handle compliance so you can focus on the children.

At BLB, we recognise the daily challenges educators and childcare workers face. We know there are never enough hours in your day, and that’s why we’re here to make a difference.

By partnering with us, you can set aside one major worry — Area 2 compliance. When cleaning is done right, it creates a positive flow‑on effect across your centre.

Because we take a proactive approach, your day becomes a little less reactive, giving you more space to focus on what matters most: the children.

📚Sector‑Relevant Articles & Reports

Explore trusted links to research, publications, and industry reports designed to support excellence in childcare and inspire sector‑wide improvement.

• 📚 Sector Resources & Publications

• 📰 Industry Articles & Reports

• 🔗 Trusted Sector Links

Staying Healthy Guide- NHMRC

Building A Healthy Australia

ACECQA Infectious Diseases .- 

Policy Guidelines

Journal of Hospital Infection – Cleaning & Disinfection in Hospitals — Focus on reducing multidrug‑resistant organisms through cleaning protocols

Monash Lens – Safer Hospitals, Healthier Patients — Australian research showing hospital cleaning practices dramatically reduce infections- 

📞 Get in Touch

We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re looking for tailored cleaning solutions, onsite training, or simply want to explore how BLB can support your centre, our team is ready to help. Reach out today and let’s start building a healthier, more compliant environment together.

📞 Contact Lindsay Today

Phone: 0432 355 396
Email: info@blbcleaningservices.net
Or: Simply fill in the form and we’ll get back to you promptly.