Published 16 Jan 2024
New funding to support Victorian early childhood teachers
The Victorian Government has announced new initiatives to support eligible people to become registered early childhood teachers, and support existing educators to upskill.
Applications are now open for the following funding opportunities.
Innovative early childhood teaching courses
Diploma qualified educators looking to take the next step in their career can apply for a place in the Early Childhood Innovative Initial Teacher program, with a range of supported, employment-based courses.
Participating students can stay in the workforce while they learn, and financial support packages are available to assist with course fees, study materials and other expenses. Paid study and placement leave may also be available.
Early Childhood Scholarships Program
Whether you are commencing study, or already studying an approve course, you may qualify for a scholarship up to the value of (before tax)
- Bachelor degrees: $25,000
- Graduate diplomas: up to $12,000
- Masters degrees: up to $18,000.
View the Early Childhood Scholarships Program guidelines, or apply through the early childhood scholarships and incentives portal.
Early Childhood Aboriginal Pathways Scholarships Program
Early Childhood Aboriginal Pathways Scholarships are available for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who want to become an early childhood teacher or educator, including those looking to upskill and those already studying.
Scholarships are available under this program up to the value of (before tax)
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care: $2,500
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care: $9,000
- Bachelor degrees: $34,000
- Graduate diplomas: $16,000
- Masters degrees: $24,000.
View the Early Childhood Aboriginal Pathways Scholarships Program guidelines, or apply through the early childhood scholarships and incentives portal.
Teacher incentives
Under the Victorian Early Childhood Teacher Incentives program, there are two types of financial incentives available for qualified early childhood teachers from July 2023 to June 2024
- Individual incentives of $9,000 (before tax) for eligible early childhood teachers working outside the Victorian early childhood sector to take up a teaching role at any service delivering, or planning to deliver, funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten in 2024.
- Location incentives of between $9,000 to $50,000 (before tax) for eligible early childhood teachers who take up a teaching role at selected services.
View the teacher incentives guidelines, explore the program guide for employers, or apply through the early childhood scholarships and incentives portal.
For information about any of the incentives listed above, as well as other support for educators, visit the Victorian Government's website.