NSW Government will invest $23m in new ECEC scholarship program – are you eligible?

Freya Lucas

Nov 16, 2022

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Over 5,500 New South Wales emerging early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals will be supported through a new scholarship program announced yesterday by the NSW Government.

The $23.5 million program will provide scholarships worth up to $3,000 for students studying a Certificate III in Children’s Services, and up to $5,000 for a Diploma level ECEC qualification, part of a broader vocational education and training (VET) investment of $281 million announced in the NSW Budget earlier this year.

“Our early childhood workforce is critical to delivering a quality early learning for our youngest learners, and these scholarships will help attract and retain this important workforce,” said Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell.

“The scholarships will work in conjunction with the 25,000 fee-free places for a Cert III or Diploma qualification,” she continued, “which means scholarship recipients will receive a cash boost to support their studies in addition to not having to pay course fees.”

Ms Mitchell encouraged the existing Cert III workforce to take up the extra support on offer whether they are employed in the public, private, long day care, preschool, family day care or outside school hours care sectors.

“Early childhood education and care professionals make all the difference to the lives of children and families in NSW, and this new initiative will help this critical workforce to grow and upskill,” she added. The scholarship round will be open from 15 November 2022 to 15 January 2023. Current and aspiring educators are encouraged to explore the new dedicated Early Childhood Careers section of the Department of Education’s website.

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