Financial support for ECTs announced in Di Farmer’s ECA Conference address

Queensland early childhood teachers (ECTs) will now be able to access up to $5,000 of financial support during their final year practicum placement, Minister for Education Di Farmer announced during an address to attendees of the National Early Childhood Australia Conference.

In addition to the payment for ECTs, Queensland early childhood professionals who choose to start their careers in remote communities will be eligible for up to $30,000 to improve their wages and conditions in return for providing invaluable professional services to these often isolated communities. 

“Early childhood workers are some of the most important people in our community,” the Minister said. “They’re the ones who help make sure our kids get the best start in life, which is why I was so pleased to make this announcement today at the National Early Childhood Australia Conference.”

“Thank you to all our early childhood workers for everything you do.”

Known as the Early Childhood Practicum Placement Grant, the $5,000 payment is for eligible students  studying an early childhood undergraduate degree or postgraduate qualification who will complete their minimum consecutive 15-day practicum placement in an approved kindergarten program (long day care or sessional kindergarten).

Eligible early childhood undergraduate and postgraduate students can apply for the grant once they have completed their final practicum placement—either in semester 2, 2024, 2025, 2026 or 2027.

Students will have up to 6 months from the completion of their final practicum placement to apply for the grant. For students doing less than a consecutive 15-day placement there is provision to apply for a pro-rata grant.

Extra grant funds may be available for students undertaking placement in regional, remote or very remote service.

Up to 250 early childhood teaching undergraduate and post-graduate students are expected to benefit each year. Expressions of interest for the grants are now open.