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ACCO-led ECEC Sector Growth Partnership Program - Round 1 Expression of Interest

Grant Closes: 25th of May 2026 Value: $50,000 to $800,000 Run By: NSW Government Department of Education Further Information: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/acco-led-ecec-sector-growth-partnership-program-round-1-expression-of-interest

The ACCO-led ECEC Sector Growth Partnership Program - Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations who are approved Early Learning providers or are seeking to become approved Early Learning providers are encouraged to apply for this EOI. - Successful applicants in this EOI will progress to the next round where they will be invited to provide a full application. Applicants will be required to complete this via this SmartyGrants application by the close date to be considered. Applicants may be required to provide evidence to support their application. Please see Program Guidelines for information of funding streams and eligibility. 

Who can apply

Only Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs) are eligible for this program. An ACCO is an organisation: that delivers services, including land and resource management that builds the strength and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people and is:

  • incorporated under relevant legislation and is not-for-profit
  • controlled and operated by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
  • connected to the community or communities in which it delivers services
  • governed by a majority Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander governing body.  

ACCOs applying for Streams 1 or 2 must have ECEC service approval or have applied for service-approval. 

ACCOs must be an approved ECEC service provider, or have submitted an application for an ECEC service approval that is yet to be determined by the NSW ECEC Regulatory Authority2, to operate one or more of the following ECEC services in New South Wales:

  • centre-based day care
  • long day care
  • outside school hours care
  • family day care
  • occasional care
  • mobile preschool

ACCOs applying for Stream 3 must: 

Provide evidence that your organisation has consulted with the community to seek endorsement for the project. Be facing barriers to ECEC provider approval which may include (but not limited to): land or premises access issues (e.g. resolving crown land complexities).regulatory compliance planning and project scoping Provide evidence that funding will be used to reduce barries for establishment of the project.

Last Updated: 11th of May 2026
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