Flying Start Infrastructure Grants

The Government of South Australia has launched a grant program to invest in additional capacity for preschool, to support the roll-out of 3-year-old preschool. This a key action outlined in the Preschool Infrastructure Strategy, released in December 2024.

The Flying Start Infrastructure Grants program invests $40 million over 4 years to support the building of new or expanded facilities where they are needed. This is to achieve the additional preschool capacity needed for the roll-out of 3-year-old preschool in South Australia.

Flying Start Infrastructure Grants are here!

Applications are open for Round 1, 2025.

Apply on SmartyGrants.

The Flying Start Infrastructure Grant guidelines outline the process and requirements for applying for a grant.  More information is available in supporting FAQs. The OECD has now released a Guidance Pack detailing how to undertake an infrastructure project in an early childhood setting.

To be eligible, applicants must be a legal entity, holding an Australian Business Number (ABN), registered for goods and services tax (GST), and be either:

• an approved provider under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (National Law) and the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 (National Regulations) and/or
• the owner of the land on which the facility is or will be located.

Eligible entities include:

• not-for-profit (NFP) organisations that are registered or incorporated in Australia
• South Australian local government entities
• South Australian non-government schools that are registered with the Education Standards Board (ESB) and in receipt of state government funding.

What kinds of infrastructure projects can be funded?

The OECD will consider proposals for:

• expansions to existing facilities, which currently provide sessional preschool or preschool as part of a long day care setting.
• new builds that will offer preschool integrated with long day care.

Eligible projects must:

• be located in an area of unmet demand as per the Market Information Summary (or, if not in an identified area, supported by compelling local evidence)
• create additional places for preschool children
• support a service that is delivering or plans to deliver a funded 3-year-old preschool program
• be viable and following the provision of grant funding, be able to be completed and maintained without requiring further financial support from the state government.

Key dates

The Flying Start Infrastructure Grants program is designed to have annual funding rounds, beginning in early 2025, until funding is exhausted.

Each funding round will have a 2-stage approach, with applicants successful in Stage 1 invited to the more detailed Stage 2:

Stage 1 – initial application: Assesses eligibility and project viability, feasibility and desirability.

Stage 2 – detailed application: If invited, applicants are required to submit more technical and project development detail to ensure the project is thoroughly evaluated for readiness and feasibility.

The 2-stage process ensures that applicants have some assurance prior to investing in project design, detailed site investigations and seeking planning and development approvals.

The following dates are anticipated to apply to funding Round 1:

Stage 2 – Detailed Application (estimated timelines, if invited)

To apply

Applications open on 28 February 2025.

Apply on SmartyGrants before 11.59pm ACDT 2 May 2025.

Late applications will not be accepted.

The OECD may request you submit further documentation after receiving your application.

Support for the sector

To support the sector to plan, apply for funding and deliver an infrastructure project, the Flying Start Infrastructure guidance pack will be available shortly, together with helpful templates.

Additional sector supports will be offered by a referral process, to assist eligible providers to develop grant applications. Read more about infrastructure supports for providers.