Financial support to study and work in early childhood

Get help with the cost of studying or moving to a new role in early childhood. Learn about funding, scholarships and incentives available to new and existing workforce.

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There are scholarships and incentives currently available.

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Programs and scholarships for study

Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships Program

The Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships Program offers tailored courses with extra support for future teachers and educators, or current workforce seeking to upskill. Courses have been designed to offer a range of flexible learning options and additional benefits so students can choose a course that is right for them.

The program includes tertiary courses for students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. In-language support and academic and workplace mentors are available if needed.

Who can apply

Opportunities are available to new students, career changers or educators looking to upskill to become a teacher.

Learn more about the Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships Program.

Early Childhood Scholarships Program

Early Childhood Scholarships help eligible individuals starting or currently studying an approved course to become registered early childhood teachers. Following the success of the Certificate III Upskill Support Program, scholarships are also now available for educators upskilling to a Diploma qualification.

Scholarship funding available under this program, before tax:

  • for bachelor's degrees: up to $25,000
  • for master's degrees: up to $18,000
  • for a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care: up to $7,000

Who can apply

Apply for Early Childhood Scholarships through the early childhood scholarships and incentives application portal(opens in a new window).

You must meet the eligibility requirements. Please read the guidelines below, including the eligibility checklist, before applying.

Apply now

For more information, including help checking your eligibility, contact BUSY at Work:

Guidelines and eligibility requirements

New guidelines from 1 December 2025

These are for scholarships awarded on or after 1 December 2025.

Previous guidelines

These are for scholarships awarded before 1 December 2025.

Early Childhood Aboriginal Pathways Scholarships Program

Early Childhood Aboriginal Pathways Scholarships are for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

These scholarships support people wanting to become early childhood teachers or educators.

This includes people who:

  • are already working in early childhood education and want to gain new skills (upskill)
  • are new to studying or who are already studying.

Working in early childhood education helps young children grow, learn, and build a strong sense of identity and connection to Country.

This program is part of the Department of Education’s commitment to growing the Koorie early childhood workforce. You can learn more in the Marrung Strategy.

Scholarships amounts (before tax)

You may be able to receive:

  • up to $2,500 for a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
  • up to $9,000 for a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
  • up to $34,000 for a bachelor's degree
  • up to $24,000 for a master's degree

How to apply

You can apply through the early childhood scholarships and incentives application portal.

Before you apply:

  • make sure you meet the eligibility requirements
  • read the guidelines carefully

If you need help or want to check if you are eligible, contact BUSY at Work:

Guidelines

Certificate III Upskill Support Program

The Certificate III Upskill Support Program offered financial support for eligible educators to upskill to a diploma. This support has now become part of the Early Childhood Scholarships Program.

Previous guidelines

These are for those educators who received financial support under the Certificate III Upskill Support Program in 2024 and 2025.

Incentives to work in early childhood

Teacher incentives

Under the Victorian Early Childhood Teacher Incentives program, there are 2 types of financial incentives available for qualified early childhood teachers:

  • Individual incentives of $9,000 (before tax) are available for eligible early childhood teachers currently working outside the Victorian early childhood sector to take up a teaching role at any service delivering, or planning to deliver, a funded kindergarten program.
  • Location incentives of between $9,000 and $50,000 (before tax) are available for eligible early childhood teachers who take up a teaching role at selected services delivering a funded kindergarten program. Services often list the location incentive in their job advertisements.

Eligible applicants who meet the criteria for both types of incentives will be able to receive both payments.

A relocation supplement of between $1,000 and $8,000 will also be available for any eligible incentive recipient who relocates more than 100km from their current place of residence to take up a role.

Relocation support is only available to people who qualify for an incentive.

Who can apply

Eligible early childhood teachers should apply for an incentive via the early childhood scholarships and incentives application portal(opens in a new window) within 60 days of accepting a position.

Search for jobs that state a location incentive may be available through your preferred job search website. You can also ask potential employers if they have been pre-approved to offer a location incentive when you see a role that interests you.

Guidelines and eligibility requirements

Educator incentives

Under the Targeted Educator Incentives program, there are 2 types of educator incentives available for qualified early childhood educators:

  • Educator individual incentives of $9,000 (before tax) for eligible educators currently working outside the Victorian early childhood education sector, to take up an educator role in a kindergarten room at any service delivering or planning to deliver a funded kindergarten program.
  • Educator location incentives of $9,000 (before tax) for eligible educators who take up an educator role in a kindergarten room at selected services delivering a funded kindergarten program. Services often list the location incentive in their job advertisements.

Eligible applicants who meet the criteria for both types of incentives will be able to receive both payments.

A relocation supplement of between $1,000 and $8,000 will also be available will also be available for any eligible incentive recipient who relocates more than 100km from their current place of residence to take up a role.

Relocation support is only available to people who qualify for an incentive.

Who can apply

Eligible early childhood educators should apply for an incentive via the early childhood scholarships and incentives application portal(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window) within 60 days of accepting a position.

Search for jobs that state a location incentive may be available through your preferred job search website. You can also ask potential employers if they have been pre-approved to offer a location incentive when you see a role that interests you.

Guidelines and eligibility requirements

Contact information

Scholarships and incentives are delivered by Busy At Work on behalf of the Department of Education.

You can contact Busy At Work via:

Early Childhood Update

News, resources and information that supports the learning and development of young children in Victoria.

Become an early childhood teacher or educator

Thinking about a career in early childhood? Learn how to get started and explore the scholarships, financial support and job opportunities available.

Early childhood education and care

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