Professional development

Regional scholarship opportunities for young aspiring ECEC professionals

Freya Lucas

May 05, 2020

Save

Commonwealth scholarships are now available for young Australians in regional areas, as well as those who have recently transitioned out of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), both of which will support those wishing to undertake a career in early childhood education and care (ECEC).

Part of the Federally funded $585 million Skills Package, Delivering Skills for Today and Tomorrow, around 400 young Australians will be supported to participate in vocational education and training (VET) programs through the Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Young Australians.

Providing recipients with up to $5,000 a year to undertake an Approved Course of Study in one of 10 regional areas experiencing high youth unemployment, the scholarships will be of interest not only to those wishing to pursue a career in ECEC, but also to those who are concerned more broadly with workforce issues within the sector.

Targeting occupations identified in projected growth industries, and in demand occupations within each region, the scholarships not only involve financial support, but also paid 20-day internships, for which students receive an additional $3000. Host employers are provided with $500 per internship taken on.

The program will be delivered in 10 regional areas by Busy at Work in the following locations:

New South Wales: Grafton and Gosford
Northern Territory: Alice Springs
Queensland: Maryborough and Townsville
South Australia: Port Pirie
Tasmania: Burnie
Victoria: Shepparton
Western Australia: Wanneroo and Armadale.

The first Scholarship Application Round is now open for applicants who are:

Aged 15 to 24 years or recently exited from the Australian Defence Force (no age restriction);
not in full-time work at the time of applying;
living in one of the 10 nominated regional areas; and,
applied for an eligible VET qualification at the Certificate III to Advanced Diploma level, which leads to an eligible occupation.

Priority is given to individuals who have recently exited from the ADF, and young people who are Indigenous, have a disability or are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

More information about the program, including eligible occupations and how to apply for a scholarship, can be found on the Busy at Work website.

Applications for Round Two of the funding are now open, and will be accepted until 5:00pm 24 July 2020.Questions about the application process should be directed to Bust At Work on 13 BUSY (13 28 79), or [email protected] by no later than 23 July 2020.

Don’t miss a thing

Early childhood training gets five-year deal in $560M TAFE deal

Early childhood education has been named among the fields supported by a $560M Free TAFE agreement between the Australian and NSW governments to fund vocational training for five years from 2027. The deal gives a longer planning horizon but the number of early childhood training places has not been announced.

New scholarships offer early childhood educators up to $25,000 towards teaching degrees

Applications are now open for the ACT Government's 2026 Early Childhood Degree Scholarship Program, which funds eligible early childhood educators to pursue an approved teaching qualification.

Advanced child safety training now available as national ECEC reforms continue

Australia's national child safety reforms have reached another significant milestone, with the release of the Advanced Child Safety training for the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector.

The Power of Literacy: Twinkl Partners with CBCA for Children’s Book Week 2026

In classrooms and early learning settings across Australia, few events match the sheer excitement, vibrant energy, and educational impact of the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book Week. It is a spectacular national celebration that transforms school communities, sparks lifelong reading habits, and unites educators, families and children in a shared love for Australian literature.

Workforce sustainability emerges as defining challenge at The Sector Workforce and Wellbeing Forum

Workforce sustainability, rather than workforce shortages alone, emerged as the defining challenge facing Australia's early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector at The Sector Workforce and Wellbeing Forum, with sector leaders calling for long-term solutions that support educators to enter, remain and thrive in the profession.

Early childhood training gets five-year deal in $560M TAFE deal

New scholarships offer early childhood educators up to $25,000 towards teaching degrees

Applications are now open for the ACT Government's 2026 Early Childhood Degree Scholarship Program, which funds eligible early childhood educators to pursue an approved teaching qualification.

Advanced child safety training now available as national ECEC reforms continue

Australia's national child safety reforms have reached another significant milestone, with the release of the Advanced Child Safety training for the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector.