GRANTS

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Worker Retention Payment

Closing: 30 September, 2026


The purpose of this grant is to provide Australian Government funding to support a wage increase for all eligible ECEC workers from December 2024.

The objectives of the program are to:

  • support a meaningful wage increase for a historically undervalued, highly feminised sector that provides an essential service;
  • contribute to the ongoing professionalisation of the ECEC sector;
  • ensure ECEC remains accessible and affordable to families;
  • address workforce shortages as the Government considers a pathway to universal ECEC.

Our mission is to nurture a prosperous economy by supporting local business and investment attraction.

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