Practicum exchange network

Connecting early childhood education and care (ECEC) services and educators in training.

On this page:

About the network

The practicum exchange network is a dedicated website where ECEC services and educators in training can search for and arrange practicum exchange opportunities.

On the website, you can:

  • search for services and educators with availability in your area
  • connect with each other
  • arrange practicums.

Go to the practicum exchange network

About practicums

Practicums help ECEC educators in training gain practical, workplace experience in an early childhood educational setting.

Generally, practicums:

  • are mandatory to become a qualified ECEC educator
  • must be partly completed outside of an educator’s primary ECEC service.

Practicum exchanges can foster:

  • diverse experience and knowledge
  • networking and support opportunities
  • skill and knowledge transfer.

Practicum exchanges can be challenging for some, particularly students in rural and remote areas with few or no other services nearby.

Who can use the network?

The network is for:

  • all ECEC services
  • educators completing an ECEC qualification.

Living and travel allowance

This opportunity is opening soon. Application open 14 July 2025.

Educators who use the network to complete a practicum in a regional or remote area may be eligible for a living and travel allowance.

Funding

In 2025–26, we will support up to 100 educators with a living and travel allowance.

The allowance provides $1,552.50 per week, for up to 4 weeks per semester, for living and travel costs associated with completing a practicum away from home.

We pay the allowance to providers. Providers must pass it on to educators in full.

Educators can use funding for:

  • accommodation and travel costs
  • food and fuel expenses
  • other associated family costs, such as child care.

Eligibility

The allowance is only available to CCS-approved providers.

Providers can apply on behalf of educators who:

  • are an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a valid work visa
  • are working towards an ECEC qualification
  • have worked at a CCS-approved service for more than 40 hours in the last 3 months
  • join the practicum exchange network
  • use the network to commence a practicum in a regional, remote or very remote area other than their home location between 30 June 2025 and 28 June 2026.

How to apply

Providers must apply on behalf of eligible educators they employ. A person with management or control (PMC) must complete the application. 

Providers should:

You will need the following details about the practicum to apply:

  • location
  • number of weeks
  • approximate dates.

If you need help with your application, contact ececgrants@deloitte.com.au.

Educators cannot apply themselves. If you work in the sector and think you would be eligible, talk to your provider about applying.

Key dates

In 2025–26, applications will be processed in 2 rounds.

Round 1 applications open

14 July 2025

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Round 1 applications close

19 September 2025

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Round 1 payments expected to be made to successful applicants

November 2025

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Round 2 applications open

12 January 2026

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Round 2 applications close

13 March 2026

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Round 2 payments expected to be made to successful applicants

May 2026

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Acquittals

Providers must acquit any funding received by 14 July 2026.

Find more information and acquit funding through the grants portal.

Scenarios

The below scenarios can help guide you when applying for the living and travel allowance.

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