Support available for ECTs to help complete prac placements

Services with early childhood teachers (ECTs) in training can access $1120.04 per week per staff member for up to four weeks for eligible practicum placements required to work towards their degree. 

The subsidy allows services to give ECTs paid leave during their practicum placements, after many students indicated that taking unpaid leave is a potential barrier to further study. 

Services can apply now for:

• practicums completed since 1 July last year.
• practicums that start this financial year and continue beyond 30 June 2024.

If an ECT has a practicum that starts after 1 July this year, do not apply now. The Department of Education will inform services about when applications for the next financial year open.

Invitations have been sent to eligible providers. In the event that this email has been overlooked the Department recommends an inbox search for the term ‘Docusign’. 

In the event that a service believes they are eligible but have not received an invitation for funding, an email to follow up should be sent to [email protected] 

The Department has listed detailed information about the funding on its website, including: 

• service eligibility criteria
• staff eligibility criteria
• payment information
• key dates.

Access the information here.