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Financial support for South Australians who want to move into ECEC
Freya Lucas
Jul 12, 2024
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South Australian residents studying Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) eligible early childhood qualifications can now access financial support to offset costs related to their study.
The QualifySA in Early Childhood Financial Support Program is available to school leavers, career changers, existing students studying eligible early childhood qualifications, and educators looking to upskill.To be eligible for support, applicants must be:
- a South Australian resident
- studying or planning to study an eligible early childhood qualification
- an Australian or New Zealand citizen.
To be paid out at various milestone periods across the study period and into the initial years of employment, the QualifySA funds are available across the following streams, as outlined below.
The step-by-step guide for applying for study support can help applicants to check their eligibility and also provides instructions on the application process.
Teacher support
This financial support program is available for a South Australian resident enrolled and studying an approved early childhood bachelor or master’s degree, and who intends to work as a teacher in the early years (preschool) sector in South Australia. This includes educators who are looking to upskill.
Financial support is available under this program for:
- bachelor degrees: up to $25,000
- master’s* degrees: up to $17,000
(All amounts listed are before tax.)
*Master’s applicants must possess an existing degree, that is not an early career teacher qualification recognised by ACECQA, unless otherwise approved by the Office for Early Childhood Development. Students studying a research Master’s are not eligible for this financial support program.
To determine eligibility for this funding stream, read the financial support - teacher guidelines before applying online.
Educator support
This financial support program is for South Australian residents enrolled and studying an approved diploma of early childhood education, and intending to work as an educator in the early years (preschool) sector in South Australia.
Financial support is available under this program for diploma level applicants. Up to $7000 (including up to $1000 for the employer of existing early childhood sector employees to offset costs such as back-filling during the participant's placement).
All amounts listed are before tax. Read the financial support - educator guidelines before applying online.
Aboriginal pathways
This financial support program is available for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aspiring to become early childhood teachers or educators. This includes those who want to upskill or who are currently studying.
Financial support is available under this program for:
- bachelor degrees: up to $34,000
- master’s* degrees: up to $24,000
- diplomas: up to $9000 (including up to $1,000 for the employer of existing early childhood sector employees to offset costs such as back-filling during the participant's placement).
All amounts listed are before tax.
*Master’s applicants must possess an existing degree, that is not an early career teacher qualification recognised by ACECQA, unless otherwise approved by the Office for Early Childhood Development.
Students studying a research Master’s are not eligible for this financial support program. All amounts listed are before tax. Read the financial support - educator guidelines before applying online.
Apply online for teacher support - Aboriginal pathways.Apply online for educator support - Aboriginal pathways.
Grow Your Own regional and remote allowance
The Grow Your Own allowance is available to support students in regional and remote areas who face barriers to accessing higher education. This program provides eligible students with up to $10,000 over the course of their study to help them pursue their education and build careers locally.
To be eligible for the Grow Your Own allowance, applicants must:
- be recipients of financial support through the QualifySA in Early Childhood Funding Support Program
- live and plan to work in a regional or remote community.
The administrator will determine an applicant's eligibility based on their residential address.
Application assessment process
The administrator will review completed applications and provide an outcome within about 3 weeks. Successful applicants will receive pre-approval. Once they have enrolled and sent evidence of their enrolment (post-Census date) to , they will receive final approval and the contract to progress their payments.
The Department will only provide financial support once an applicant has provided necessary proof after the census date. Unsuccessful applicants will be contacted with feedback around their application.
Approved early childhood qualifications
To work in a family day care or centre based service with children preschool age and under, educators must hold, or in some circumstances be actively working towards an approved qualification.
Search the list of approved and former approved early childhood teaching, diploma and certificate III level qualifications on the ACECQA qualification checker.
Please email OECD.ECWorkforceSupport@sa.gov.au or phone 1300 050 509 for further information and support.
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