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Scholarships for early childhood qualifications

Find out about our scholarship programs to help you complete or upgrade your qualifications as an early childhood educator.

Early Childhood Degree Scholarship Program

The Early Childhood Degree Scholarship Program offers scholarships to complete an Early Childhood Degree.

The program aims to:

  • increase the number of degree-qualified educators in the ACT
  • raise the profile of the ACT education and care sector.

What the program offers

The program offers:

  • up to 16 early childhood degree scholarships each year
  • funding of up to $25,000 per scholarship, for full-time or part-time study
  • encouragement to employers to contribute to funding, so that we can offer more scholarships
  • up to $4,000 funding to employers to backfill staff while they are on paid study leave.

The ACT Government has awarded over 100 scholarships to educators since the start of the program.

Check if you can apply

You can apply if you:

  • are an early childhood educator currently working in the ACT
  • do not hold an ACECQA-approved early childhood teaching qualification
  • are working towards, or are intending to enrol in, an ACECQA-approved early childhood teaching degree either full or part-time
  • are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

You must also be working at:

  • a non-government early childhood educator and care (ECEC) service
  • a non-school approved ECEC service
  • an approved ECEC service that requires a qualified early childhood teacher under the National Regulations.

How to apply

Applications open 18 May 2026 and close 14 June 2026.

Find out more in the:

After you apply

Successful applicants will be sent a Letter of Offer.

This will include:

  • the amount of funding to be offered
  • the Early Childhood Degree Scholarship Program Deed
  • additional details about the terms and conditions of accepting a scholarship.

If you accept the offer, you, your employer and the ACT Government must sign an Early Childhood Degree Scholarship Program Deed.

We will reimburse you for eligible expenses.

Unsuccessful or ineligible applicants will be advised in writing.

Aunty Agnes Shea Early Childhood Scholarship Program

We’ve partnered with Yerrabi Yurwang Child & Family Aboriginal Corporation to deliver a scholarship program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators.

We want to attract more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the early childhood education profession.

What the program offers

The Aunty Agnes Shea Early Childhood Scholarship Program offers:

  • financial support to undertake a Diploma or Degree qualification in early childhood education
  • paid leave arrangements
  • wrap-around supports.

How to apply

To find out more, including how to apply, email admin@yerrabi.org.au.

Early Learning Connection Career Pathways Program

Early Learning Connection is a career pathway program to help people gain or upgrade their qualifications in early childhood education.

It's for Canberrans who want to:

  • start their journey in early childhood education
  • take the next step
  • grow their career further.

What the program offers

The program provides opportunities to begin studying towards a:

  • Certificate III in early childhood education
  • Diploma in early childhood education
  • Degree in early childhood education.

It provides participants with:

  • coaching and support to complete their qualification
  • study skills and group coaching sessions and workshops
  • financial assistance towards course fees
  • paid employment in early learning centres across the ACT.

How to apply

To find out more and apply, visit the Early Learning Connection website.