As announced in the refreshed Best Start, Best Life Workforce Strategy, the new Certificate III Upskill Support Program is open for applications for eligible educators keen to gain a diploma and continue to build their career in early childhood education.
The program offers financial support for educators who currently hold a Certificate III in Early Childhood and Care and wish to upskill to a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care in 2024.
The program provides educators who work at a Victorian early childhood education service delivering a funded kindergarten program with up to $7,000 (before tax) in financial support to study the diploma. This support is in addition to Free TAFE, if you choose to study your diploma at a TAFE.
People can apply for financial support through the Client Portal.
The application round for this program is now open and will close on Sunday 21 January 2024.
Building careers
The Certificate III Upskill Support Program is another initiative the department is offering to help people build their careers in early childhood education.
Becoming a diploma-qualified educator enables early childhood professionals to further extend their skills in supporting children’s learning and development.
Participants in the program can also use this as a further step towards becoming an early childhood teacher if they wish.
Find out more
For more information (including eligibility requirements), refer to Financial support to study and work in early childhood.
Updated