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    Financial support

    There's never been a better time to start or take the next step in your early childhood career

    Students who have received a letter of offer or an enrolment confirmation to an eligible birth to 5 early childhood qualification, can apply for financial support to offset costs related to their study through the QualifySA in Early Childhood funding support program.

    Financial support may be available if you are:

    The program provides milestone payments throughout your study and into the initial years of employment.

    A female educator smiling at one of her little students

    We are now accepting applications for 2025.

    Financial support applications are open for eligible students studying in 2025. Applications are closed to receive funding for study in 2024.

    QualifySA in Early Childhood funding streams

    If you meet the eligibility criteria for QualifySA in Early Childhood funding, you can apply for the financial support stream (as outlined below) that best aligns to your circumstance. It is recommended that prior to applying, you read the guidelines linked from this page for your relevant funding stream, to ensure you meet the criteria.

    Apply for this financial support program if you are a South Australian resident who has received a letter of offer or an enrolment confirmation to an eligible birth to 5 (B-5) early childhood teaching qualification, and you intend to work as a preschool teacher in South Australia’s early childhood sector.

    The following financial support is available for aspiring preschool teachers:

    • up to $25,000 for recipients studying a B-5 bachelor degree
    • up to $17,000 for recipients studying a B-5 master degree*
    • up to $14,500 for recipients studying a B-5 graduate diploma**.

    All amounts listed are before tax.

    *Students studying a research master degree are not eligible for this financial support program.

    *Eligible master degree students must not already have an early childhood career qualification recognised by ACECQA.

    **Graduate diploma students must possess an existing primary or secondary degree that is not recognised by ACECQA as an approved early childhood education and care qualification.

    **The application form for the graduate diploma will be available on Monday, 7 October 2024.

    There are eligibility requirements you must meet so please read the financial support - teacher guidelines before applying online.

    The step-by-step guide to apply for study support can help you check your eligibility and provides instructions on the application process.

    Apply for up to $7000 in financial support if you are a South Australian resident who has received a letter of offer or an enrolment confirmation to an eligible early childhood diploma qualification.

    In 2025, financial assistance for individuals wanting to become diploma-qualified educators is only available to those studying the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121) through TAFE SA, or through an Aboriginal Community Controlled Registered Training Organisation that offers the Diploma of Early Childhood and Care (CHC50121).

    The payment includes up to $1,000 for the employer of the student, where the student is currently working in the South Australian early childhood sector. This funding can be used for various purposes such as partially covering the cost of backfilling during a participant's placement.

    All amounts listed are before tax.

    There are eligibility requirements you must meet so please read the financial support - educator guidelines before applying online.

    The step-by-step guide to apply for study support can help you check your eligibility and provides instructions on the application process.

    Apply for this financial support program if you are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person, a South Australian resident, and you have received a letter of offer or enrolment confirmation to an eligible early childhood qualification.

    The following financial support is available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students:

    • up to $9000 for recipients studying a diploma (including up to $1000 for the employer of an existing early childhood workforce employee)
    • up to $34,000 for recipients studying a bachelor degree
    • up to $24,000 for recipients studying a master degree*
    • up to $20,500 for recipients studying a B-5 graduate diploma**.

    All amounts listed are before tax.

    *Students studying a research master degree are not eligible for this financial support program

    *Eligible master degree students must not already have an early childhood career qualification recognised by ACECQA.

    **Graduate diploma students must possess an existing primary or secondary degree that is not recognised by ACECQA as an approved early childhood education and care qualification.

    There are eligibility requirements you must meet so please read the financial support - Aboriginal pathways guidelines.

    Apply online for teacher support - Aboriginal pathways.

    Apply online for educator support - Aboriginal pathways.

    The step-by-step guide to apply for study support can help you check your eligibility and provides instructions on the application process.

    Students in regional and remote areas who face additional barriers to accessing higher education, can apply for the Grow Your Own (GYO) allowance. This GYO financial support program provides up to $10,000 over the course of a recipient's studies, to help them pursue their education, and to build a career in their local region.

    This funding is in addition to the support offered through the QualifySA in Early Childhood financial support program.

    To be eligible for GYO funding, students must:

    Eligibility will be determined by the administrator based on your residential address.

    Application assessment process

    The administrator will review completed applications and provide an outcome within about 3 weeks. If you're successful, you'll receive pre-approval. Once you’ve enrolled and sent evidence of your enrolment (post-Census date) to OECD.ECWorkforceSupport@sa.gov.au you’ll receive final approval and the contract to progress your payments. We will only provide financial support once you provide necessary proof after the Census date.

    If you are unsuccessful, the administrator will contact you with feedback on your application.

    To provide feedback, or to raise concerns about the financial support program, please contact the Workforce team directly at OECD.ECWorkforceSupport@sa.gov.au

    Have a financial support question?

    Phone: 1300 050 509