More than $40m in early education grants for SA 

Three grant programs have been launched in South Australia, aimed at building the workforce and infrastructure needed for three-year-old preschool.

The first grant program is The Flying Start Infrastructure Grants program that will invest $40 million over four years to support the not-for-profit sector to deliver new or expanded facilities in areas with projected unmet demand for preschool.

This investment is aimed at helping to deliver the additional preschool capacity needed for the rollout of three-year-old preschool in South Australia.

There are also grants available of up to $100,000 for organisations to develop innovative solutions in regional, rural and hard-to-staff locations, to support delivery of three-year-old preschool programs.

One such example may be developing a shared educator or teacher model where staff can be shared across multiple sites, or increasing retention through professional development and further training.

Download the Flying Start Workforce Grants factsheet

The third grant is to support the creation or expansion of networks among the early childhood workforce. Grants range from up to $37,000 to up to $185,000 over two years. They aim to better address childhood developmental vulnerability by connecting early childhood, allied health and community service professionals at the local level.

Flying Start Professional Network Grants support the formation or expansion of professional networks to address childhood developmental vulnerability and enhance preschool delivery in local communities.

Initial funding will be offered for 2 years, with grants ranging from:

• up to $37,000 for metropolitan and inner regional networks
• up to $57,000 for outer regional and remote areas
• up to $185,000 for Aboriginal Professional Networks (statewide).

Grant recipients will be equipped to collaborate with other early childhood, allied health and community service professionals to better address child developmental vulnerability and support the delivery of 3-year-old preschool.

Download the Flying Start Professional Network Grants factsheet

“The Flying Start grants are laying the foundations for the biggest reform to early childhood the state has seen this century,” SA Education Minister Blair Boyer said.

“By applying for these grants, local communities, early childhood professionals and not-for-profit organisations can help shape the future of early childhood education.”

The grants are part of the $1.9 billion investment in early childhood development, delivering on the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care.

Application steps

• Read the Flying Start Workforce Grants guidelines.
• Review the Application checklist – a guide to preparing your workforce grant application.
• Register to attend the information webinar, Tuesday 18 February 2025.
• Apply on SmartyGrants.

Applications for the infrastructure grants close 2 May 2025. The guidelines and market information on areas with unmet demand are now available online. For further details, please see here. 

Applications for the workforce grants close Friday 21 March 2025. For further details and to apply, visit www.flyingstart.sa.gov.au/workforce-grants