Community Services & Early Childhood

The Community Services and Early Childhood sector in the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region plays a vital role in supporting individuals, families, and communities. From early learning centres and kindergartens to youth work, disability support, and family services, there are a wide range of meaningful career paths for young people who want to make a real difference. Whether you're passionate about caring for others, working with children, or helping to build stronger, more inclusive communities, this growing industry offers rewarding and purposeful opportunities across the region.

Current Scope of the Sector (2026)

Sector Overview

Community services and early childhood education together form one of the largest and fastest‑growing employment sectors in the region. The sector includes:

Community Services

  • Aged care (home, community, residential)

  • Disability services (NDIS)

  • Mental health & psychosocial support

  • Youth, family & child protection services

  • Housing and homelessness support

  • Allied health (speech, OT, physio)

  • Employment services & family support

Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula collectively service a population of over 316,000 people, with higher‑than‑average demand for social assistance, particularly in Frankston. [cfmp.org.au], [stplnews.com.au]

Early Childhood Education & Care (ECEC)

Includes:

  • Long day care

  • Kindergarten (3‑ & 4‑year‑old)

  • Community‑managed kindergartens

  • Private and not‑for‑profit early learning centres

  • Family day care

  • Outside school hours care (OSHC)

The region has a dense mix of community‑based and private providers, including large operators (e.g. G8 Education) and not‑for‑profit networks managing kindergarten services across multiple LGAs. [g8education.edu.au], [ckp.org.au]

Key Local Demand Drivers (Now)

Demographics & Social Need

  • Strong population growth in Frankston as a regional activity centre

  • An ageing population on the Mornington Peninsula

  • Elevated levels of:

    • Housing stress

    • Family violence

    • Child vulnerability

    • Disability support needs

Recent data shows over 4,500 people annually accessing homelessness services across Frankston and the Peninsula, including nearly 480 children already homeless and 880 at risk. [stplnews.com.au]

These pressures directly drive employment and service demand.

Workforce Size & Employment Reality

One of the Largest Local Employers

Job market evidence shows hundreds of active vacancies at any time for:

  • Disability support workers

  • Personal care workers

  • Allied health clinicians & assistants

  • Community development workers

  • Youth caseworkers

  • Early childhood educators & teachers

Demand consistently outstrips supply, reflecting structural workforce shortages, not economic downturns. [au.indeed.com], [seek.com.au]

Early Childhood: Expansion is Locked In

Two Years of Universal Kindergarten

Victoria’s Best Start, Best Life reforms mean:

  • Every child will be entitled to two years of funded kindergarten by 2029

  • Significant expansion of places, infrastructure, and workforce is required

Recent federal‑state investment (announced February 2026) includes new and expanded ECEC services in Frankston, delivering 130 additional places, with staged openings through to 2029. [education.gov.au]

Local Kindergarten Infrastructure and Services Plans (KISP) confirm unmet demand across the Mornington Peninsula, especially in growth areas and townships with ageing facilities. [education.vic.gov.au]