Professional development subsidy

The professional development subsidy covers 1 day of training for qualified ECEC staff. 

We pay the subsidy to providers. Funding is paid to each eligible service’s bank account.

Providers must pass funding on to staff through training opportunities where applicable.

The subsidy aims to:

• build capacity and skills in the early childhood workforce
• allow services to maintain educator-to-child ratios while staff complete training.

In 2024–25, all ECEC providers can apply. Subsidies are no longer limited to regional and remote areas and First Nations educators.

Who can get the subsidy?

The subsidy is for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) approved providers.

Providers can apply on behalf of the following staff: 

• early childhood teachers
• early childhood educators
• centre managers.

These staff must:

• be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a valid work visa
• work at a CCS-approved service
• be part of the educator-to-child ratio
• work full-time, part-time or casual 
• have worked at the service more than 40 hours in the last 3 months.

What can the subsidy be used for?

The subsidy covers 1 day, or up to 7.5 hours, of training per staff member.

You must use the subsidy to:

• supplement the cost of backfilling while staff engage in training or
• pay staff a supplement for training undertaken outside of work hours. 

Training can include:

• mandatory training such as first aid, child protection and food handling
• highly recommended training such as cultural competency and inclusion training
• mentoring or leadership programs delivered by a registered training organisation.

You can use the subsidy to cover multiple training activities.