South West councils push for action on "childcare deserts"

South West councils are calling on the Commonwealth Government to boost funding and support to ease the region’s childcare crisis.
Right now, there aren’t enough childcare centres, workers or available spots across the south-west. It’s making life difficult for families and employers, and acting as a handbrake on our local economy.
SouthWest Victoria Alliance has released its 2025 federal election platform, which is centred around a push for more federal support to combat the shortages. 
The Alliance comprises Warrnambool City Council and the shires of Colac, Corangamite, Moyne, Southern Grampians, Glenelg and Colac-Otway, along with representatives from Deakin University and Wannon Water.
“South-west Victoria is riddled with childcare deserts,” Alliance chair and Warrnambool Mayor Cr Ben Blain said.
“Our childcare shortages must be a top-tier issue as we head towards the federal election.”
“We’ll be meeting with Ministers, MPs and candidates as the election approaches to make sure our childcare challenges are understood and addressed.”
The shortages stem from a combination of factors, including small and dispersed populations, staff shortages, difficulties establishing new centres and a lack of adequate incentives for providers.
In addition to more direct support and incentives for childcare operators and workers, the Alliance is pushing for $5 million from the Federal Government to establish a new Childcare Centre of Excellence at Deakin University, to train the next generation of local childcare workers and design a new model for rural childcare education.

By the numbers

The below table shows how many children there are for each childcare place across the south-west. The data comes from a 2024 Mitchell Institute analysis of places, availability and demand.

Have your say

The Alliance is urging South West families and employers to sign a change.org petition in support of more federal action on childcare.
The petition will demonstrate to MPs and candidates the level of community frustration with the current shortages and the real-world impacts of living in a childcare desert.
You can add your support and share your story at change.org/SouthWestChildcare

Broader calls

As part of its 2025 federal election platform, the SouthWest Victoria Alliance is also pushing for:
•    Local roads and infrastructure upgrades.
•    The development of the Hamilton Art Gallery.
•    The establishment of a Local Government Sustainability Fund.
•    A Small Grants Program to help councils boost local wellbeing and foster community pride.
•    The development of a Hydrogen Innovation Plan for south-west Victoria.