Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Workforce Paid Practicum Grant Opportunity Guidelines (2026-2027)

• Applicant must be an ECEC service currently approved for and receiving the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) under Family Assistance Law. • Eligible service types include long day care, family day care, in-home care, centre-based day care and outside school hours care services. • Applications are made by eligible providers on behalf of their employees. • Employee must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a valid work visa (including student visa) allowing employment in the ECEC sector. • Employee must be a contact worker or a non-contact worker such as a director or educational leader providing direct support, education and care, or supervision for children. • Employee must be full-time, part-time, or casual and have worked more than 40 hours overall in the preceding three months with the service. • Provider must not be a stand-alone kindergarten service that is not approved for and receiving CCS. • Provider must not be a stand-alone pre-school service that is not approved for and receiving CCS. • Provider must not be an individual. • Provider and project partner must not be included on the National Redress Scheme’s website. • Provider must not have outstanding invoices for previous Paid Practicum or Professional Development grant funding. • Provider must not already be receiving the maximum funding of 8 weeks for the same ECEC employee for the same period from the Commonwealth or a state or territory government.