Different ownership models have different implications and responsibilities. They also have a common purpose that should motivate the sector to work together.
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.
Families want answers, support and to be listened to and followed up with. Providers need to be prepared to deliver that response.
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.
Tasmanian not-for-profit provider Thrive is calling for targeted changes to the fee cap attached to the Worker Retention Payment, saying rural services need greater flexibility to remain sustainable while protecting educator wages and family access.
