Bush Kids is proud to support skilled childcare professionals in joining our team here in beautiful Western Australia. We understand that talent knows no borders.
That’s why we offer visa sponsorship for all positions covered under the Children’s Services Award (MA000120) – commonly known as the Childcare Award. Through the Australian Government’s Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) program, we can sponsor qualified overseas candidates for roles at our centres. If you’re a passionate educator dreaming of working in Australia, we’re here to help make that happen!
Sponsorship Available for all Childcare Roles
All BushKids WA childcare positions are eligible for sponsorship. This means whether you’re an early childhood educator, room leader, centre coordinator, or director, we can sponsor you to work with us. Every role at BushKids WA that falls under the Childcare Award is included. Even support roles within our centres (for example, cooks or administrators) can be sponsored. We want to be clear: if you have the skills and dedication to work in early childhood education, we have a pathway for you to join our team via visa sponsorship.
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Early Childhood Educators (Cert III or Diploma qualified): From assistant educators to lead educators, all teaching staff in our long day care and early learning programs are covered.
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Room Leaders and Centre Directors: Leadership roles in our centres (room leaders, coordinators, assistant directors, directors) are included in our sponsorship program.
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Support Staff: Roles such as centre cooks, cleaners, or admin support that fall under the childcare industry award are also eligible for sponsorship.
In short, no matter your position in the childcare field, Bush Kids can sponsor the right candidates for our team. This commitment applies to every job opening you’ll find on our careers page.
What is DAMA and How Does It Help?
DAMA stands for Designated Area Migration Agreement – a special agreement between the Australian Government and regional areas (like our region in Western Australia) to address local skill shortages. Under a DAMA, employers in designated areas can sponsor overseas workers for skilled visas with more flexible terms than standard visa programs. This means we can recruit talented childcare professionals from abroad in roles that may not be on the usual skilled occupation lists, and with certain concessions to visa requirements (for example, DAMA agreements often allow slightly relaxed criteria around salary, English language, or age for visa applicants in eligible occupations).
In practical terms, DAMA enables BushKids WA to sponsor you on a work visa to come to Australia and join our team. It’s our way of supporting skilled migration and strengthening our workforce when we can’t find enough qualified locals. You can learn more about the DAMA initiative on the official Australian government website: Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA).
By participating in a regional DAMA, BushKids WA has become an approved sponsor for childcare roles. We have a formal agreement that lets us nominate and sponsor international candidates across a range of childcare occupations. This includes helping you obtain a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) or other relevant sponsored work visas under the DAMA framework. The DAMA program even provides a potential pathway to longer-term visas and staying in Australia permanently down the track (via regional employer-sponsored pathways), giving you the chance to build a future here if that’s your goal.
Bottom line: DAMA is the mechanism that makes our sponsorships possible. It’s a win-win: we get wonderful educators to join our community, and you get an opportunity to live and work in Australia with our support.
We Welcome International Applicants 🌏
At Bush Kids, we warmly welcome applications from overseas candidates – we value diversity and the rich experiences international team members bring. Whether you’re from Southeast Asia (for example, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, or any neighbouring country) or from further afield, you are encouraged to apply for our positions. We understand that moving to a new country for work is a big step, and we want you to feel confident and excited about the opportunity.
Our team is experienced in hiring and onboarding educators from around the globe. You’ll find a welcoming community here that appreciates different cultures and backgrounds. Many of our children and families have multicultural backgrounds too, so your international experience will be a great asset in connecting with them.
International candidates: don’t hesitate because you’re overseas – you are absolutely welcome on our team! We are an equal opportunity employer and believe that great educators can come from anywhere. If you have the qualifications and passion for early childhood education, we want to hear from you. Our sponsorship under DAMA is available to help make your Australian work dream a reality.
How Bush Kids Supports Your Move
Joining Bush Kids from overseas doesn’t have to be daunting – we support our sponsored employees every step of the way:
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Visa Application Assistance: We are a nominated sponsor under the DAMA program, which means we have the ability to nominate you for a work visa. We also have a dedicated migration agent who will assist with the visa process. From preparing paperwork to navigating government requirements, our team will guide you through it all, making the process as smooth as possible. You won’t be on your own – we’ll help coordinate the sponsorship application to get you here legally and efficiently.
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Relocation Support: Moving countries is a big deal, so we offer relocation assistance to help you settle in. This can include financial help with your moving expenses (for example, airfare or shipping costs) and accommodation support when you arrive. We know finding a new home in a new country can be tricky, so we’re happy to help you secure temporary accommodation and point you toward local rental options. (In some cases, we’ve provided up to $5,000 in relocation assistance for successful candidates – the specifics can be discussed as part of your job offer.) Our goal is to remove the stress of moving so you can focus on your new role and adjusting to life in Western Australia.
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Welcoming Workplace Culture: From day one, you’ll feel part of the Bush Kids family. Our existing staff is friendly and supportive – many have been newcomers themselves and will gladly help you learn the ropes. We’ll pair you with a buddy/mentor to show you around, introduce you to the community, and answer any questions about living in Australia (from where to do your grocery shopping to understanding Aussie slang!).
We celebrate cultural diversity with events and encourage staff to share their traditions. You won’t just join a team; you’ll join a caring community that makes you feel at home.
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Professional Development: Your growth matters to us. We offer ongoing training and professional development opportunities, from workshops on the latest in early childhood education to support with attaining any necessary Australian certifications. We want you to thrive in your career here. If English isn’t your first language, don’t worry – we value bilingual educators, and our team communicates clearly and patiently. (All our staff must meet the basic English proficiency required for the visa, but beyond that we support you in becoming confident in any aspects of language or practice as needed.)
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Quality of Life in WA: The South-West region of Western Australia (where our centres are located) is a fantastic place to live and work. From beautiful beaches and forests to welcoming towns, you’ll get to enjoy a high quality of life. We encourage a healthy work-life balance, and our team often enjoys group outings, nature walks, and community events. We know moving for a job isn’t just about the work – it’s about life outside of work too. In WA you’ll find friendly people, a safe environment, and a lovely climate. We’re here to help you adjust and get the most out of your new Australian lifestyle!
By providing all this support, Bush KidsWA ensures that our international recruits not only succeed at work but also feel happy and secure in their new home. We truly value the commitment you’re making by moving to join us, so we repay that by having your back through the entire journey.
Start Your Australian Adventure with Bush Kids 🐨
Ready to take the next step? We would love to hear from you! Applying from overseas is as easy as applying from down the road. Simply check out our current job openings and send in your application for any role that fits your experience. If you’re the right fit, we’ll handle the sponsorship paperwork and guide you through visa processing and relocation.
👉 Explore our current job opportunities on our Bush Kids Careers page. Each listing will note that sponsorship via DAMA is available. You can apply directly through the website or contact us for more information on a role. If you have any questions about the sponsorship process or a specific position, feel free to reach out to us – we’re happy to help and discuss how we can bring you onboard.
Join BushKids WA and embark on a rewarding career in Australian early childhood education. With our supportive sponsorship program, your skills and passion can find a new home here with us. Come help us nurture little minds in a nature-inspired, joyful learning environment, and enjoy an amazing life experience in Western Australia.
We look forward to welcoming you – wherever in the world you’re coming from – into the Bush Kids family! Apply today and let’s grow together.