NSW educators given $12m boost through scholarships initiative

New South Wales early childhood educators will benefit from a $12.2 million funding boost through a series of scholarships which deliver on a pre-election commitment from the NSW Government. 

The funding was secured in the NSW Budget, with a target of 1,700 scholarships now available for: 

• Those already working in the sector wanting to upskill;
• Those wanting to become early childhood educators; and, 
• Those wanting to gain outside school hours care (OSHC) skills.

The government hopes that the incentives will expand the early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce and help retain those already working as early childhood educators.

Funding includes:

• Scholarships of up to $25,000 for ECEC teachers studying a Bachelor or Master degree in teaching with an early childhood education specification
• Scholarships of up to $15,000 for relevant Graduate Certificates or Graduate Diplomas
• Scholarships of up to $5000 for ECEC educators studying a relevant Diploma in ECEC or School Age Education and Care
• Scholarships of up to $3000 for students earning a Certificate III in ECEC, OSHC.

Applications will now be more straightforward, with application rounds scrapped allowing current and prospective students to apply freely throughout the year. A targeted stream has also been created for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students wanting to apply.

More information about available scholarships can be found on the NSW Department of Education website. Scholarships for early childhood educators and those interested in joining the sector are open now.