Free preschool for three year olds in the ACT from 2024

Families in the Australian Capital Territory will be able to access one day a week of free preschool for three year olds from 2024, benefiting more than 5,000 young children. 

The ACT Government’s investment of more than $50 million over the next four years to improve equitable access to quality early learning will increase the number of preschool programs delivered through early childhood education and care centres by degree-qualified early childhood teachers.

The 2023-24 ACT Budget is also investing in the professionalism of the ACT quality early childhood education and care workforce through measures which include:

• Undertaking a comprehensive survey of the ACT’s early childhood education and care workforce capacity and needs.
• Establishing a professional learning and development resource portal for early childhood education and care services.
• Establishing a professional learning network and collaborative learning communities for early childhood educators across the Territory for the first time.
• Establishing a partnership with the early childhood sector to deliver wrap-around supports, including study financial assistance and paid leave, and coaching and mentoring, for individuals undertaking qualifications in early childhood education.
• Providing scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators working in Koori Preschool to increase their qualifications.

To learn more about the initiatives, please see here.