Connecting early childhood education and care (ECEC) services and educators in training.
On this page:
About the network
The practicum exchange network is a dedicated website where ECEC services and educators in training can search for and arrange practicum exchange opportunities.
On the website, you can:
- search for services and educators with availability in your area
- connect with each other and arrange practicums.
About practicums
Practicums help ECEC educators in training gain practical, workplace experience in an early childhood educational setting.
Generally, practicums:
- are mandatory to become a qualified ECEC educator
- must be partly completed outside of an educator’s primary ECEC service.
Practicum exchanges can foster:
- diverse experience and knowledge
- networking and support opportunities
- skill and knowledge transfer.
Practicum exchanges can be challenging for some, particularly students in rural and remote areas with few or no other services nearby.
Who can use the network?
All ECEC services can join and use the network.
Practicum exchanges are open to ECEC educators in training who are studying:
- certificate III
- diploma
- initial teacher education (ITE) course
- post graduate teaching courses.
Living allowance
Educators who work in the sector and use the network may be eligible for a living and travel allowance of up to $1,543.50 per week for up to 4 weeks.
The 2024–25 practicum exchange living allowance will be available to educators who:
- commence a practicum in a rural or remote area other than their home location between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025 through the practicum exchange network
- have worked full-time, part-time or casually at a CCS-approved service for more than 40 hours in the last 3 months
- are an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a valid work visa.
Applications will open on 13 January 2025.
Providers must apply on behalf of eligible staff. An application form will be available on the grants portal in January.
A person with management or control (PMC) must complete the application.
You will need details about the practicum and location, number of weeks and approximate dates, when applying. If you don’t have these detail in advance, we encourage you to apply when these details are known.
Staff cannot apply themselves. If you work in the sector and think you’d would be eligible for the living and travel allowance, please talk to your provider about applying.
Applications will close on 14 March 2025.
Read the 2024–25 practicum exchange living allowance guidelines to learn more.
Scenarios
The below scenarios can help guide you when applying for the living and travel allowance.
Example 1
Amal needs to complete a 20-day practicum as part of his early childhood qualification. Amal found a suitable service for his practicum through the practicum exchange network. He has enrolled at the service and will start his practicum in semester one in 2025. Amal intends to do the practicum in one block over a period of 4 weeks. Can his employer apply for the allowance on his behalf?
Yes, Amal's employer can apply for allowance on his behalf. His employer must pass all the funds to Amal which he can use to cover his costs.
Example 2
Isabel needs to undertake a 10-day practicum as part of her early learning qualification. She found a suitable service for her practicum through the practicum exchange network. Isabel has enrolled herself and will start her practicum in semester one in 2025. Isabel will complete her practicum over 10 weeks and will spend one day per week at her practicum site. Can her employer apply for the allowance on her behalf?
Isabel's employer cannot apply for allowance on her behalf. This is because the allowance is paid in one-week blocks and considers an educator’s living and travel expenses. As Isabel is not living at her new location for the full week, she will become ineligible for the allowance. To become eligible, Isabel should consider doing the practicum as a 10-day block over 2 weeks.
Example 3
Kai must do 3 more practicums to complete their childcare qualification. They cannot complete their work placement at their current service. They have enrolled at a service to complete a 5-day practicum in semester one in 2025. They will then undertake a 10-day practicum at a different service. The third practicum will be undertaken in the next semester later in 2025. Kai used the practicum exchange network to find suitable services to complete the practicums. Can their employer apply for allowance on their behalf?
Kai's employer can apply for allowance for either of the first 2 practicums. The third practicum falls in the 2025–2026 financial year and is not eligible under the 2024–25 guidelines.
Example 4
ABC Childcare applied for paid practicum subsidy on behalf of its staff and was found to be eligible. Raj, a staff member used the practicum exchange network to find a service in Broome to complete his 2-week placement. Can ABC Childcare apply for allowance on Raj's behalf?
Yes, ABC Childcare can apply for allowance on Raj's behalf. The allowance will help him with the living and travel costs for the practicum. The provider must also ensure that Raj is undertaking an ACECQA approved ECEC course before applying.
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