ECEC Workforce Professional Development and Paid Practicum

Description and Objectives:

• The program aims to support the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) workforce by assisting with educator retention and upskilling.
• It provides financial support to ECEC services to pay educators for undertaking mandatory or highly recommended training during or outside working hours.
• It also funds wages for educators completing the practical component of ECEC degrees (Diploma, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor, Masters) to help student-educators complete their qualifications.

Target Beneficiaries:

• Approved ECEC Providers registered in the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) system with a valid CRN (Customer Reference Number).
• Educators who have legal working rights in Australia.
• Educators who have worked at least 40 hours in the three months prior to the application.
• Educators who are part of the educator-to-child ratio.
• Educators working full-time, part-time, or casual.

Key Features:

• Funding can be used to pay educators for training time or to backfill their position while they train.
• Funding supports paid practicums for student-educators completing ECEC degrees.
• The grant is demand-driven and ongoing.
• Grant outcomes must be delivered within the financial year the funding is received.
• Applications must be submitted through the Department of Education’s dedicated grants portal.

Application Process:

• ECEC Providers apply on behalf of their educators.
• Providers must be CCS-approved to be eligible.
• Applications are submitted online via the official grants portal linked on the Department of Education website.
• Contact for inquiries: ececgrants@deloitte.com.au

Locations:

• Available across all Australian states and territories: ACT, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, QLD, NT, TAS.

This program supports workforce development by financially enabling educators to engage in professional development and practical training, thereby enhancing the quality and sustainability of early childhood education services in Australia.