Early childhood workers given $12 million boost to strengthen sector into the future

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning

MEDIA RELEASE | 9 October 2023

NSW’s early childhood sector workforce has been given a welcome boost of more than $12 million as the Minns Labor Government delivers its election commitment to provide scholarships to the educators of the state’s littlest learners. Funding of $12.2 million to provide scholarships to the early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce was secured in the NSW Budget, beginning the practical work to create a pipeline of educators for this vital sector.

A target of 1700 scholarships will be made available from today, to those already working in the sector wanting to upskill, those wanting to become early childhood educators, and those wanting to gain Outside School Hours Care (OSCH) skills, growing the workforce.

These incentives will expand the ECEC workforce and help retain those already working as early childhood educators.

Applications for scholarships for early childhood educators and those interested in joining the sector are open now.

Funding includes:

  • scholarships of up to $25,000 for ECEC teachers studying a Bachelor or Master degree in teaching with an early childhood education specification

  • scholarships of up to $15,000 for relevant Graduate Certificates or Graduate Diplomas

  • scholarships of up to $5000 for ECEC educators studying a relevant Diploma in ECEC or School Age Education and Care

  • scholarships of up to $3000 for students earning a Certificate III in ECEC, OSHC.

The process of applying for scholarships has also become easier as the Minns Labor Government scraps application rounds, allowing current and prospective students to apply freely throughout the year.

A targeted stream has also been created for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students wanting to apply.

This funding is just part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to boost the Early Childhood and Care workforce, and comes in addition to our maintenance of the $5 billion Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund and $5.7 billion to work towards universal preschool.

More information about available scholarships can be found on the NSW Department of Education websitelaunch.

Sara Johnston