Extra support and resources
No matter where you're at, help and support is available.
Whether you're studying towards a qualification, completing your practicum, welcoming a new educator, supporting a student on placement, or looking to strengthen mentoring practices within your service.
This page brings together extra support and resources from the State and Commonwealth governments, across study and placements through to recruitment, onboarding and mentoring.
Applying to study
Applying for a university or TAFE SA early childhood qualification? Applications are managed through SATAC, the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre.
Applications through SATAC open from August the year before admission. Submit your application as soon as possible to avoid missing any deadlines.
Financial support during study and placement
- The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) offers eligible students a weekly payment while completing mandatory placement as part of an early childhood teaching degree.
- Studying a certificate III, diploma, bachelor's, or master's qualification? You may be eligible for financial support to offset the cost of your studies.
Special Authority to Teach (SAT)
Flying Start preschool programs must be developed, implemented and delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher (ECT), registered with the Teacher’s Registration Board (TRB).
Where a qualified ECT is not available, a person holding a Special Authority to Teach as an ECT (ECT SAT) granted by the TRB will be accepted. Where the program is being led by a person with an ECT SAT, a registered ECT must be made available to coach and support programming and practice.
Find out more about Special Authority to Teach on the Teacher’s Registration Board website.
Aboriginal recruitment and workforce support
Building a culturally safe and inclusive workplace is a critical step in growing the Aboriginal workforce in the early childhood sector.
- Aboriginal Culturally Responsive Recruitment in Early Education: This Practice Guide has been created to support and guide early childhood services as they recruit, retain, and support Aboriginal staff. Whether your service is Aboriginal-led or working to strengthen its cultural responsiveness, this resource will support your journey.
- Flying Start Aboriginal Career Development Scholarship: These scholarships provide one-off grant funding of up to $15,000 to support Aboriginal people working in South Australia’s early childhood sector to pursue self-identified career development opportunities.
- Flying Start Aboriginal Workforce Grants: Provides grants of up to $20,000 to services to embed Aboriginal cultural safety and support the professional development of Aboriginal staff.
Onboarding resources and templates
Practical resources and templates are available on plink to help your service to welcome, support and develop new educators.
- 6 practical resources
- 2 onboarding templates
Key focus areas include:
- onboarding planning and preparation
- buddy, coaching and mentoring support; and
- clear expectations, workplace culture and meaningful check-ins.
Placement learning modules, guides and tools
Supporting high-quality placement experiences through professional learning, practical tools and mentoring resources. These learning modules are available on plink.
- 5 short, self-paced online learning modules
- 7 practical tools and guides
Key focus areas include:
- placement preparation
- mentoring and coaching; and
- feedback and reflective practice.
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Please note: the role of the Office for Early Childhood Development is to steward the early childhood development system in South Australia. We are not a higher education provider. If you have specific questions related to early childhood courses, we recommend contacting the relevant tertiary education institutions for assistance.