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 open. Round 1 applications close 19 September 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:
- read the grant guidelines before applying
- apply through the grants portal.
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
Round 1 applications close
19 September 2025
Round 1 payments expected to be made to successful applicants
November 2025
Round 2 applications open
12 January 2026
Round 2 applications close
13 March 2026
Round 2 payments expected to be made to successful applicants
May 2026
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.
Example 1
Amall needs to undertake a 20-day practicum exchange as part of his studies towards a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood). Amal used the practicum exchange network to find a suitable ECEC service to complete his practicum. He has completed all necessary pre-requisites and is enrolled to undertake his practicum at his agreed ECEC service in semester one in 2026.
The agreed ECEC service is in a regional, rural or remote location other than Amal’s home location. Amal intends to undertake the practicum in one block over a period of 4 weeks.
Amal’s employer can apply for the grant on his behalf for the duration of his 20-day practicum.
Example 2
Isabel needs to undertake a 10-day practicum as part of her studies towards a Bachelor of Education (Early Learning). Isabel used the practicum exchange network to find a suitable service to complete her practicum. She has completed all necessary pre-requisites and is enrolled to undertake her practicum at her agreed ECEC service in semester one in 2026.
Isabel intends to undertake the practicum over 10 weeks, spending one day each week at her practicum ECEC service.
Isabel’s employer cannot apply for the grant to contribute towards her 10-day practicum because this grant is only paid in one-week blocks.
Example 3
Kai must do 3 more practicums for completing Certificate III in Childcare. They cannot complete their practicum at their current ECEC service. They are enrolled for a 5-day practicum in semester one in 2026. They will also do a10-day practicum later at a different ECEC service during semester one in 2026.They intend to undertake their third practicum in semester 2 in 2026.
Kai used the practicum exchange network to find a suitable service to complete their practicums. The suitable ECEC service is in a regional, rural or remote location other than their home location.
Kai’s employer can only apply for the grant during the first two practicums. The third practicum commences in semester 2 in 2026. It occurs in the 2026-2027 financial year and is not eligible.
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