The Inclusion Development Fund provides funding to help early childhood education and care (ECEC) services address more challenging barriers to inclusion.
On this page:
New Inclusion Development Fund Manager and updated guidelines released
As of 1 October 2025, Deloitte is the new Inclusion Development Fund Manager. We have also updated the ISP Guidelines to make the program easier to understand and apply. These changes do not affect access to inclusion support.
About the fund
The Inclusion Development Fund is part of the Inclusion Support Program (ISP). It provides funding to eligible ECEC services when barriers to inclusion cannot be addressed by the Inclusion Agency or the Specialist Equipment Library.
A national Inclusion Development Fund Manager (IDFM) oversees application assessments. Services must work with their local Inclusion Agency to apply for funding.
The IDFM:
- assesses funding applications from services
- recommends outcomes to the department.
Categories of funding
There are 4 categories of funding.
Innovative solutions
This funding is for flexible and tailored inclusion support. It funds support that goes beyond what can be provided by Inclusion Agencies.
Immediate/time-limited support
This funding:
- is available when there is an immediate barrier to a child participating in ECEC
- enables Centre Based Day Care services and Outside School Hours Care to quickly engage an additional educator
- is for a limited period until suitable alternatives can be established.
Family Day Care top up
This funding supports Family Day Care services to include a child with additional and ongoing high support needs. It is for situations where including the child may prevent the educator from enrolling the maximum number of children permitted under the National Law.
Additional educator
This funding supports the employment of an additional educator. The aim is to increase the educator-to-child ratio. This helps support the inclusion of children with additional and ongoing high support needs alongside their typically developing peers.
How to apply
The ISP Guidelines have information about how to apply to the Inclusion Development Fund. Please speak to your local Inclusion Agency before applying.
Contact the IDFM
| Inclusion Development Fund Manager | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Deloitte | Website: www.idfm.deloitte.com.au Email: idfmsupport@deloitte.com.au Phone: 1800 824 955 (toll free) |