Early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers can get a subsidy to support early childhood teachers (ECTs) and educators in training to complete the practicum components of their degree.

The paid practicum subsidy allows providers to give staff paid leave while undertaking practicums.

We pay the subsidy to providers. Funding is paid to each eligible service’s bank account.

Providers must pass funding on to staff through paid leave.

The subsidy aims to help services:

• support staff to complete ECEC qualifications 
• provide paid leave to staff completing practicums.

The subsidy covers up to 8 weeks of practicum per staff member, per semester. 

You can apply twice a year for an individual staff member, once each semester. Priority may be given to staff who have not yet been supported by the subsidy.

You must use the subsidy to give staff paid leave while undertaking their practicum.

The subsidy is a flat weekly rate. This is because practicums are typically completed in groups of 5 working days.

The weekly rate is based on current award rates.

Jane and Sam work at the same service and are both completing ECEC qualifications. They must each complete a practicum as part of their studies. They’ve heard about the paid practicum subsidy. Can they apply?

Jane and Sam cannot apply for the subsidy directly. They must ask their provider to apply on their behalf.

A person with management or control (PMC) at their provider lodges the applications in the portal, one for each educator. In the applications, the provider includes details about their qualifications and intended practicum dates.

The provider’s applications are successful. Jane and Sam can now undertake practical placements at another service while receiving wages from their home service.

Who can get the sudsidy?

The subsidy is for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) approved providers.

Providers may apply on behalf of staff completing:

• a diploma-level qualification such as a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
• a degree-level qualification such as a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care
• a post-graduate ECT qualification such as a Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood), a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching or a Master of Early Childhood Education.

These staff must:

• be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a valid work visa
• work at a CCS-approved service
• work full-time, part-time or casual
• have worked more than 40 hours in the last 3 months.

• Email: ececgrants@deloitte.com.au