NSW opens next round of financial support for educators and ECTs

The New South Wales Department of Education is offering up to $25,000 of financial support to educators and early childhood teachers (ECTs) through the next round of Early Childhood Education Scholarships. 

Applications for the 2022-23 Early Childhood Education Scholarships Program and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Education Scholarships Program opened yesterday to help students entering the workforce to enhance their skills, thanks to the $281.6 million Workforce Package to attract and retain early childhood education and care (ECEC) staff over the next four years.   

Successful applicants will receive a boost of up to $25,000 to begin or complete an ECEC bachelor degree at TAFE or university. A $5,000 incentive annually over four years (for a total of $20,000) may also be available to help keep them working at a community preschool, mobile preschool or long day care service once they’ve finished their degree.  

Deputy Secretary, Education and Skills Reform Lisa Alonso Love said this generous scholarship program is just one of a number of important strategies the Department has to address current workforce supply issues.  

“The Department values our early learning professionals and understands the need to attract more people to the industry (sic.) to create a brighter future for all children and their families as part of our Early Years Commitment,” she said.  

“Our vision is to have a highly qualified and sustainable workforce, including more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ECTs as a priority, across the state.  

One third of all successful scholars in the last scholarship round were from regional and remote areas across NSW, Ms. Alonso Love said, encouraging regional applicants to apply.    

Applications for Round 2 of the Early Childhood Education Scholarships and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Education Scholarships program are now open, and will close on 12 September 2022.  

Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the Department’s website for more information and to submit an application.