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Financial support to study and work in early childhood

Financial support is available for people looking for a rewarding career in the early childhood sector.

On this page

Register your interest(opens in a new window) to learn more about opportunities and incentives for early childhood professionals.

You can also apply for a scholarship or incentive(opens in a new window).

Innovative early childhood teaching courses

Diploma qualified educators looking to take the next step in their career can apply for a place in the Early Childhood Innovative Initial Teacher program(opens in a new window), with a range of supported, employment-based courses.

Participating students can stay in the workforce while they learn, and financial support packages are available to assist with course fees, study materials and other expenses. Paid study and placement leave may also be available.

Visit Innovative early childhood teaching courses(opens in a new window) to find out more.

Early Childhood Scholarships Program

Early Childhood Scholarships are available for eligible people who are commencing study or are already studying an approved course to become a registered early childhood teacher. This includes educators who are looking to upskill.

The following scholarships are available under this program (all amounts listed are before tax):

  • for Bachelor degrees: up to $25,000
  • for Graduate diplomas: up to $12,000
  • for Masters degrees: up to $18,000

How to apply

Apply for Early Childhood Scholarships via the early childhood scholarships and incentives application portal(opens in a new window).

There are eligibility requirements you must meet so please read the Guidelines below before applying.

Guidelines

Early Childhood Aboriginal Pathways Scholarships Program

Early Childhood Aboriginal Pathways Scholarships are available for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who want to become an early childhood teacher or educator, including those looking to upskill and those already studying.

This program reflects the Victorian Government’s commitment to improving Koorie education outcomes, by supporting the growth of the Koorie early childhood workforce. More information about the Victorian Government’s commitment can be found in the Marrung Strategy.(opens in a new window)

The following scholarships are available under this program (all amounts listed are before tax):

  • For a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care: up to $2,500
  • For a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care: up to $9,000
  • For Bachelor degrees: up to $34,000
  • For Graduate diplomas: up to $16,000
  • For Masters degrees: up to $24,000

How to apply

Apply for Early Childhood Aboriginal Pathway scholarships via the early childhood scholarships and incentives application portal(opens in a new window).

There are eligibility requirements you must meet so please read the Guidelines below before applying.

Guidelines

Certificate III Upskill Support Program

The Certificate III Upskill Support Program offers financial support to eligible educators who hold a current Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) and wish to upskill to a Diploma of ECEC.

The following financial support payment is available under this program (before tax):

For a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care: up to $7,000

How to apply

The second application round for this program has now closed.

Information about any future application rounds will be published on this website.

Guidelines

Teacher incentives

Under the Victorian Early Childhood Teacher Incentives program, there are two types of financial incentives available for qualified early childhood teachers:

  • Individual incentives of $9,000 (before tax) are available for eligible early childhood teachers working outside the Victorian early childhood sector to take up a teaching role at any service delivering, or planning to deliver, funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten or Pre-Prep in 2025.
  • Location incentives of between $9,000 to $50,000 (before tax) are available for eligible early childhood teachers who take up a teaching role at selected services.

Eligible applicants who meet the criteria for both types of incentives will be able to receive both payments.

A relocation supplement of between $1,000 to $8,000 will also be available for incentive recipients who relocate more than 100km from their current place of residence to take up a role.

Information about the Victorian Early Childhood Teacher Incentives program (including eligibility requirements) is available in the Guidelines below.

How to apply

Search for jobs with a Location Incentive on the Early Childhood Jobs website(opens in a new window), by clicking ‘DE Location Incentive’.

Eligible early childhood teachers should apply for an incentive via the early childhood scholarships and incentives application portal(opens in a new window) within 60 days of accepting a position.

Guidelines

Educator incentives

Under the Targeted Educator Incentives program, there are two types of educator incentives available for qualified early childhood educators:

  • Individual incentives of $9,000 (before tax) for eligible educators working outside funded kindergarten in the Victorian early childhood education sector, to take up a role in a kindergarten program at any service delivering funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten or Pre-Prep in 2025.
  • Location incentives of $9,000 (before tax) for eligible educators to take up a role in a kindergarten program at selected services.

Eligible applicants who meet the criteria for both types of incentives will be able to receive both payments.

A relocation supplement of between $1,000 to $8,000 will also be available for incentive recipients who relocate more than 100km from their current place of residence to take up a role.

Information about the Targeted Educator Incentives program (including eligibility requirements) is available in the Guidelines below.

How to apply

Search for jobs with a Location Incentive on the Early Childhood Jobs website(opens in a new window), by clicking ‘DE Location Incentive’.

Eligible early childhood educators should apply for an incentive via the early childhood scholarships and incentives application portal(opens in a new window) within 60 days of accepting a position.

Guidelines

More information

Scholarships and incentives are delivered by Busy At Work on behalf of the Department of Education.

You can contact Busy At Work via:

Choosing a career in early childhood

Hear from students and teachers talking about becoming an early childhood teacher.

Watch the Choosing a Career video on Vimeo Early Childhood Teachers(opens in a new window).

Watch the Application for the Early Childhood Scholarships Program video on Vimeo Scholarship program(opens in a new window).

Early childhood

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