We’re supporting early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers to offer professional development opportunities to teachers and educators.
On this page:
Opportunities
About these opportunities
The government is investing $72.4 million in professional development opportunities from 2023–24 to 2026–27.
The measures aim to:
- strengthen skills and professional experience
- improve staff retention
- build supply
- increase capacity.
We also piloted a website to connect ECEC services and educators in training. The website was called the practicum exchange network. It launched in 2024 to help up to 2,000 early childhood educators arrange a practicum. The pilot concluded in October 2025. The network is now closed.
How this is helping
2025–26
Professional development subsidy
Paid practicum subsidy
2024–25
Professional development subsidy
Paid practicum subsidy
2023–24
Professional development subsidy
Paid practicum subsidy
Figures accurate as of March 2026. In 2023–24, the subsidies prioritised services in regional and remote areas and services with First Nations identifying educators.
Stay up to date
Subscribe to our channels to get the latest news and updates about professional development opportunities.