Early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers can get a subsidy to support early childhood teachers (ECTs) and educators in training to complete the practicum components of their degree.

The Paid Practicum Grant program provides Services with a wage subsidy to give ECEC Employees paid leave while they are undertaking their practicum.

The intended objectives of the Paid Practicum program are to help:

• Services support ECEC Employees to complete qualifications, particularly for Early Childhood Teachers (ECTs) and Diploma level qualifications as recognised by the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA); and
• support Services to provide paid leave to ECEC Employees while they are undertaking their practicums.

The intended outcomes of the Paid Practicum subsidy are to:

• support teachers and educators in training gain practical, workplace experience in an early childhood educational setting; and
• provide further career development for ECEC Employees.

Payment rate per week for Early Childhood Employees is $1,246.50 (a week is defined as five days and each day is a maximum of 7.50 hours)

ECEC Providers that are currently approved for and receiving the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) under the Family Assistance Law are eligible to apply for this Grant on behalf of their eligible ECEC Employees. This includes Family Day Care (FDC), In Home Care (IHC), CentreBased Day Care (CBDC) and Outside School Hours Care Services (OSHC).

Eligible ECEC Providers can apply for a Paid Practicum Grant for eligible ECEC Employees who are undertaking a practicum that complies with the eligible Grant activities set out in the guidelines.

Eligible ECEC Employees must be: 

• an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia or hold a valid work visa (including student visa) allowing employment in the ECEC sector; and
• a contact worker - an educator who is part of the adult to child ratio at a Service or who provides direct early childhood education and care, or supervision for children in other care types, such as IHC or FDC; or a non-contact worker - a director or educational leader who provides direct support, early childhood education and care, or supervision for children; and 
• a full-time, part-time, or casual employee who has worked more than 40 hours overall in the preceding three months with that Service.

ECEC Employees are not eligible to apply for or receive Grant payments directly and must apply through the approved ECEC Provider which employs them.

• Email: ececgrants@deloitte.com.au