Workers offered $150,000 to live and work in this Australian state

Childcare staff are in high demand across Australia as a growing number of workers leave for better paid jobs in areas such as aged care. 

But some towns in regional Western Australia are so desperate for childcare workers they are offering up to $150,000 a year to attract and retain staff. 

Those willing to work in the Pilbara, Gascoyne, Kimberley and Goldfields can earn an eye-watering salary depending on their qualifications. 

The huge salaries are necessary to attract fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) childcare workers to the mining towns, where staff shortages have left some services at risk of closure.

Full-time FIFO staff work a roster of two weeks on, one week off.

'The pay rate is based on the casual award rate, with a daily living away from home allowance,' One Tree Community Services chief executive Karri Hillier told 7News.

One Tree is a not-for-profit that recently got state government funding for its new 12-month Regional Early Years Learn and Lead (REYLL) project.

This will help childcare providers in the area with hiring, training and resources.

One Tree will help services in the REYLL program to recruit and train local workers, but where there are gaps they will be filled with its casual EduTribe FIFO workers. 

Ms Hillier said the flexibility, freedom and rural adventure are attractive to many workers looking for a change.

'It's also very rewarding, providing opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families while benefiting communities and business,' she said.

'FIFO also provides the opportunity to "try before you buy".

'Some of our FIFO staff have opted to relocate and live locally when they have found a centre they love.'

Late last year, the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) released data showing the sector's 'ongoing workforce crisis' meant thousands of Australian families were unable to get childcare places.

'Our members have reported for years now that staff recruitment and retention is one of the biggest issues in the sector,' ACA president Paul Mondo said at the time.

'There is a critical need for more government support to help attract and retain early learning educators.'

The stresses were particularly being felt in regional towns, often referred to as 'childcare deserts' - where there are more than three children for every place. 

'In rural and remote communities, some childcare centres are operating at 60 per cent capacity due to a lack of staff,' Ms Hillier said. 'Some have had to close.'

WA's regional mining towns are hoping the lure of earning up to $150,000 a year is going to fix the problem in their areas.