Early Childhood Qualifications Fund
The Victoria Government is committed to supporting the early childhood workforce to meet the challenges posed by recent early childhood sector reforms and the increased demand for early childhood services as a result of the biggest baby boom in a generation.
A cornerstone of the Government’s support for the sector is the Early Childhood Qualifications Fund which provides support for existing licensed children’s services and approved education and care services staff to upgrade or attain an early childhood qualification.
What's available?
The Early Childhood Qualifications Fund provides scholarships to existing early childhood educators working in a licensed children’s service or approved education and care service.
Primary teachers who wish to undertake an early childhood teaching qualification are also eligible to apply.
The amount of support available depends on the qualification undertaken. Support ranges from up to $1,000 for a Certificate III in Children’s Services and up to $12,000 for an early childhood teaching degree.
Successful applicants will be required to enter into an agreement to successfully complete the qualification and, upon completion, work for a minimum period of time in a licensed children’s service or approved education and care service.
Making an application
Applications are invited from early childhood educators currently employed in licensed children’s services and approved education and care services, and primary teachers who wish to undertake and early childhood teaching qualification.
Applicants are advised to check that the qualification they intend to undertake is approved for employment in a licensed children’s service or approved education and care service in Victoria. For a list of approved qualifications, see: Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority Qualifications, Lists and Registers
Applicants must:
- Be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia
- Be employed in a Victorian licensed children’s service or approved education and care service, or a primary teacher wishing to undertake a course leading to an early childhood qualification
- Have been accepted into a course leading to an approved early childhood qualification
- Be able to demonstrate an interest in and commitment to working as an early childhood educator in a licensed children’s service or approved education and care service.
The following documents are required to apply:
- Fact Sheet (PDF - 170Kb)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF - 186Kb)
- Application form (PDF - 289Kb)
- Employer form (PDF - 213Kb)
All applications submitted via email must be submitted in either MSWord or PDF formats.
Application round
The next application round will be announced in July 2012.
More information
For more information, contact the Early Childhood Strategy Division.
Phone: 1300 651 662