Round One closes on 20 September 2024!

As part of the Australian Government’s measures to boost the skills, training and retention of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce, there is an attractive grant opportunity for service providers. Applications have just opened for Round 1 of the Professional Development Grant.

Professional Development Grant
Grant provides a service with funding for 1 day of training (up to 7.5 hours) for eligible qualified ECEC employees. This grant can be a game-changer for your service, helping to cover the costs associated with professional development
 
How the Professional Development Grant can benefit your service:

• Supplement wage costs: use the funding to backfill while your employees attend mandatory or highly recommended training during work hours, or to pay employees for training undertaken outside of work hours.

• Eligible activities: the grant covers courses, training, workshops and conferences, including the ACA Victoria Navigating Behaviour Conference.
  

This is a fantastic opportunity to invest in your team’s development without straining your budget. The grant is calculated on a daily flat rate for current award wages, based on qualification, experience, and skill level, making it easier for you to manage costs. Payments from Round 1 are expected to be made in November and December 2024. 

Round 1 applications close on 20 September 2024.

Paid Practicum Grant
This grant provides services with a wage supplement so you can give employees paid leave while undertaking their practicum.

This opportunity is designed to support educators to complete qualifications and allow your service to provide paid leave to student employees to complete practicums. Funding is not designed to cover the exact cost of an employee’s wage and is based on a flat weekly rate for current award rates.

Applications can be made for up to eight weeks for a single placement.

Round 1 applications close on 20 September 2024.