Boosting Early Learning Access for More Australian Children

The Albanese Government is ensuring children can access early childhood education no matter where they live with around 50 new early childhood education and care services.

The Government is investing more than $16 million to help establish new early childhood education services in regional communities that currently have limited or no services operating in their area.

Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly said the new services would help ensure Australian children don't miss out on the critical benefits of early childhood education and care.

"We know the first five years shape a child's life, with quality early childhood education and care setting children up to succeed at school, in higher education and throughout their lives," said Dr Aly.

"These exciting new services will also give local families the ability to choose when it comes to increasing hours for work or returning to work or education.

"This investment means more local jobs and more locals able to join the workforce in regional and remote areas."

The funding will not only help open more early learning services but also support providers to ensure they can operate sustainably while helping to engage local workforces.

Once operational, families accessing the new services will be eligible for the recently increased Child Care Subsidy - already making early childhood education more affordable for around 1.2 million Australian families.

The new services are part of the $575 million Community Child Care Fund, helping addresses barriers to participation in early childhood education by helping much needed services open and stay open in communities across Australia.

The program currently funds over 900 services, with around 60 per cent of funding supporting services located in regional and remote communities.