2026 High Learning Support Needs Funding Program - Quarter 3 Priority Payments

Eligible applicants are not-for-profit community preschools receiving funding under the New South Wales Start Strong for Community Preschools or the Mobile Preschool Funding Program. Funding is not available for places or hours in a service that are Child Care Subsidy approved. To obtain funding for an individual child, the child must either be at least 3 years old on or before 31 July in that preschool year and not in compulsory schooling, or turn 3 after 31 July and demonstrate exceptional circumstances. The child must also have high learning support needs, including constant and ongoing support needs or a temporary illness or injury requiring short-term adjustment, require an Individual Learning Plan identifying goals and specific teaching strategies and adjustments, and require consistent support and guidance to engage at the same level as peers. Priority payments may be considered where there is an urgent need to remove barriers for supervision and ensure access and participation, including significant safety concerns, where the application is submitted within the first 4 weeks of the Quarter 2, 3 or 4 application periods. Priority payment is not available for children funded for HLSN in previous years at the community preschool.