JavaScript is required

Financial supports available

Information about scholarships and incentives available to support ECTs and educators to upskill and take on new, rewarding opportunities during their career in the early childhood sector.

Early Childhood Scholarship Program

Audience: Diploma-qualified educators, Certificate III-qualified educators

Scholarships of up to $25,000 (before tax) are available for eligible people who are commencing study or are already studying an approved course to become a qualified ECT. This includes educators who are looking to upskill.

To find out more visit: Financial support to study and work in early childhood

Hear about Sahay’s experience as a scholarship recipient:

Financial incentives available to support ECTs and educators

Audience: Service Leaders/Educational Leaders, ECTs, Diploma-qualified educators, Certificate III-qualified educators

Financial incentives of between $9,000 and $50,000 are available for eligible ECTs and educators joining (and re-joining) the Victorian early childhood sector or taking up roles at priority services, such as those in hard-to-staff locations.

Relocation supplements are also available for eligible ECTs and educators moving more than 100km to take up their role.

To find out more visit: Financial support to study and work in early childhood

Certificate III Upskill Support Program (CUSP)

Audience: Certificate III-qualified educators

Financial support of up to $7,000 (before tax) is available 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. Funds can be used to contribute towards cost-of-living expenses while working and studying.

To find out more visit: Financial support to study and work in early childhood

Early Childhood Aboriginal Pathways Scholarships Program

Audience: Certificate III-qualified educators, Diploma-qualified educators

Funding is available to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who want to become an ECT or educator, including those looking to upskill and those already studying. Eligible recipients could receive up to $34,000 (before tax) towards an approved early childhood teaching qualification.

To find out more visit: Financial support to study and work in early childhood

Professional development and paid practicum subsidies

Audience: Diploma-qualified educators

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers can apply for a subsidy from the Australian Government to help qualified staff complete training that adds to their skills or a subsidy to support ECTs and educators in training complete the practicum components of their degree.

Eligibility criteria, key dates and further information can be found via the following links to the Australian Government Department of Education’s webpage:

https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/workforce/support/professional-development-opportunities/paid-practicum-subsidy

https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/workforce/support/professional-development-opportunities/professional-development-subsidy

Updated