Why strong staff ratios are more than just a number.
When South Australia’s Education Minister Blair Boyer recently told ABC News that “having skilled staff is the biggest factor in ensuring safety in childcare centres,” he captured the essence of what the education and care sector has always known: ratios are about people, not paperwork.
Behind every ratio is a promise, that children are safe, supported, and given the attention they deserve. But with growing scrutiny on compliance, reference checks, safeguarding, and training, maintaining ratios is becoming an increasing challenge for many providers. The question for leaders is no longer why ratios matter, but how to sustain them without compromising quality or burning out staff.
A new approach to workforce sustainability
At Y Careers, we believe the solution lies not in temporary fixes or agency reliance, but in rethinking workforce development altogether. A sustainable model doesn’t just fill vacancies, it builds capability, continuity, and culture.
One that:
Protects business continuity by reducing resourcing gaps, service disruption, and reputational risk.
Drives operational efficiency through lower recruitment costs, stronger staff retention, and capability building.
Delivers regulatory confidence with rigorous safeguarding, accredited training, and risk reduction.
Builds a values-led culture where staff are motivated by purpose, diversity, and community impact.
When trainees can be counted in ratio
For a trainee to be counted toward ratios:
They must have signed a training contract.
The contract must be approved by the relevant State Training Authority.
Once approved, the AASN issues a Training Contract ID to the RTO.
The RTO can then enrol the trainee in their qualification.
The trainee must have commenced training and be making satisfactory progress before being counted under ratio.
Please note: Enrolment alone is not sufficient. Training and progress must be underway.
Safeguarding at every step
Safety isn’t negotiable, it’s embedded in everything we do. Y Careers adopts Y Australia’s safeguarding standards through Y Safeguarding, a nationally recognised framework that sets the benchmark for protection and wellbeing across the sector.
This ensures every trainee and team member is prepared, equipped, and committed to upholding the highest standards of care before stepping into an education or care environment.
Investing in the workforce of the future
The conversation about ratios must evolve beyond compliance. It’s about investing in a workforce that can deliver measurable impact, for children, families, and the organisations that serve them.
By strengthening career pathways, supporting trainees, and building long-term workforce resilience, we can give centres the confidence to meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s expectations.
To learn how Y Careers can help you build a safer, stronger, and more sustainable workforce, connect with our team:
Fiona Hawes – Executive Manager, Marketing & Partnerships – [email protected]
Michael Oosterwyk – National Partnerships Manager – [email protected]
Andrew Murray – Business Development Manager –
[email protected]
You can read our full Safeguarding Statement here