Paid practicum subsidy

About the subsidy

The paid practicum subsidy allows providers to give staff paid leave while undertaking practicums.

Practicums help teachers and educators in training gain practical, work-place experience in an early childhood educational setting. They are mandatory for most ECEC qualifications.

We pay the subsidy to providers. Providers must pass funding on to staff through paid leave.

The subsidy aims to help services:

• support staff to complete ECEC qualifications
• provide paid leave to staff completing practicums.

Who can get the subsidy?

Child Care Subsidy (CCS) approved providers can apply on behalf of staff completing:

• a diploma-level qualification such as a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
• a degree-level qualification such as a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care
• a post-graduate ECT qualification such as a Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood), a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching or a Master of Early Childhood Education.

Find information about qualifications on ACECQA’s website 

These staff must:

• be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a valid work visa
• work at a CCS-approved service
• work full-time, part-time or casual
• have worked more than 40 hours in the last 3 months.

If we receive a high volume of applications, we will prioritise applications for:

• First Nations educators
• educators from regional and remote locations
• educators by provider size (small, then medium, then large providers)
• ECT qualifications (including post-graduate qualifications) over diploma-level qualifications.

What can the subsidy be used for?

You must use the subsidy to give staff paid leave while they undertake their practicum.

The subsidy covers up to 8 weeks of practicum per staff member, per semester.

The practicum must:

• start between 30 June 2025 and 28 June 2026
• be completed by 27 September 2026.

You can apply twice a year for an individual staff member, once each semester. Priority may be given to staff who have not yet been supported by the subsidy.

You will be responsible for covering any costs associated with:

• backfilling staff during their practicum
• staff wages not covered by the grant.

How much is the subsidy?

The subsidy is a flat weekly rate. This is because practicums are typically completed in groups of 5 working days.

The weekly rate is based on current award rates.

Providers must cover any gap between the subsidy amount and the employee’s full salary during the practicum period.

How to apply

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

Providers should:

• read the grant guidelines before applying
• apply through the grants portal.

If you need help with your application, contact ececgrants@deloitte.com.au. Remember to include your provider CRN.

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 two rounds. We will open the second round only if funding is still available after the first round.

Acquittals

Providers must acquit funding received under the 2025-26 paid practicum subsidy by 14 July 2026.

Learn about the acquittal process