The Early Childhood Scholarship Program provides flexible financial support for people to study and succeed in an early childhood career. Eligible students can receive up to $25,000 in scholarship funding.
The program now helps current educators upskill to a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, as well as helping people who want to become early childhood teachers. This change is in line with feedback from students and the sector.
The program now also offers more financial support and flexibility when it matters most.
From 1 December 2025, new Bachelor scholarship recipients will receive part of their scholarship earlier. There is a new mid-study payment to help manage study costs and keep students on track to graduate.
For new and current teaching scholarship recipients, there is also more time to find the right job after graduating. Recipients now have up to 12 months following graduation to secure a role in the sector. This extra time might help build skills and confidence.
Building skills and achieving goals
Before receiving the Early Childhood Scholarship, Halayna Tipping was already committed to early childhood education. She was working full-time in a leadership role at Long Island Early Learning Centre in Frankston. Her goal was to become a fully qualified early childhood teacher.
‘I wanted to elevate my practice and contribute meaningfully to the sector, but the financial pressure of study while working in a demanding role made the pathways harder,’ Halayna said.
Halayna received the scholarship to complete a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and said it changed her life.
‘It removed a huge amount of financial pressure and allowed me to focus on my studies with confidence rather than stress,’ she said.
The scholarship allowed Halayna to upskill without stepping back from her leadership responsibilities.
‘It opened doors for professional growth, supported my academic journey, and gave me the reassurance that my goals were worth investing in,’ Halayna said.
Creating meaningful moments
For Halayna, the most rewarding part of her work is the connection with children and her impact on families.
‘The moments when children engage deeply in learning experiences I’ve designed, or when families tell me how supported, understood and valued they feel, are incredibly meaningful.
‘Those moments remind me why all the hard work is worth it.’
Find out more
For more information about the updated scholarships program, refer to: Financial support to study and work in early childhood.
Updated