05 JunProfessional learning and practicum grants opening 3 July
Attention regional and remote Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services, and First Nations services and educators – new grants program for professional learning and practicum opens 3 July.
In the recent Federal Budget the Australian Government’s committed to 72.4 million toward measures to address immediate workforce challenges in the ECEC sector by supporting retention, professional development and ongoing studies of educators. As a result, 2023-24 Guidelines for the Professional Development Subsidy and Paid Practicum Subsidy are out now.
The Professional Development and Paid Practicum Subsidy will support:
- up to 22,000 ECEC staff to undertake PD for two days funding backfill or to fund staff to attend outside of normal work hours
- up to 2,500 educators to undertake their practicum.
To be eligible for this program, a Service must be receiving Child Care Subsidy (CCS). This includes long day care, family day-care, in-home care, centre-based day care and Outside School Hours Care services. Preschool and kindergarten services are not eligible to receive this subsidy.
From 3 July 2023, services identified as eligible will be invited to apply for the Subsidy. The eligible services will be sent an application form, which must be completed and returned.
The program is targeted to services and educators in regional, remote, or very remote communities and First Nations educators and services across both streams in 2023-24.
First Nations-owned and controlled services are eligible regardless of location. First Nations staff are also eligible to receive funding through their service, regardless of that service’s location.
Services must continue to pay their staff member at their full rate of pay for the duration of the practicum or training, even if the subsidy does not fully cover this.
CLICK HERE for more information.
