Image Credit: Markus Spiske

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers can now apply for a Professional Development Subsidy to support qualified staff in completing training that enhances their skills and strengthens the sector.

What’s included:

The subsidy covers 1 day (up to 7.5 hours) of training per eligible staff member. It is paid directly to approved services and must be used to:

• Supplement the cost of backfilling while staff attend training, or

• Provide supplement for training completed outside of regular work hours

The subsidy is a flat daily rate, based on current award rates and includes a 25% casual loading. For example, in 2025-26:

• Early Childhood Teacher: $429.83

• Early Childhood Educator: $272.72

• Centre Manager: $401.72

This initiative aims to:

• Build capacity and skills in the early childhood workforce

• Help services maintain educator-to-child ratios during staff training

Eligibility:

To apply, providers must:

• Be approved for and receiving the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

• Employ staff who have worked at least 40 hours in the past 3 months

• Ensure staff are part of the educator-to-child ratio and meet residency or visa requirments

• Not be receiving other funding for the same training activity

Eligible training includes both mandatory (e.g. first aid, child protection) and highly recommended (e.g. cultural competency, leadership) programs.