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

The Paid Practicum grant provides a wage subsidy to give ECEC Employees paid leave while they are undertaking their paid practicum.

Eligibility

Only ECEC services currently approved for and receiving the Childcare Subsidy (CCS) under Family Assistance Law, including long day care, family day care, in-home care, centre-based day care and outside school hours care services, are eligible and can apply for their employees.

To be eligible for a grant the employee must be:

• an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia or hold a valid work visa (including student visa) allowing employment in the ECEC sector; and
• a contact worker - an educator who is part of the adult to child ratio at a Service or who provides direct early childhood education and care, or supervision for children in other care types, such as IHC or FDC; or
  a non-contact worker – a director or educational leader who provides direct support, early childhood education and care, or supervision for children; and
• a full-time, part-time, or casual employee who has worked more than 40 hours overall in the preceding three months with that Service.