The Andrews Labor Government is providing more than 400 scholarships to help more people pursue a rewarding career as an early childhood teacher.
On Early Childhood Educator Day, Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos announced $8 million for students starting studies in 2019 to help with costs such as course fees, study materials and related expenses.
Early Childhood Australia Vic Branch will deliver the Early Childhood Scholarships Program with eligible recipients receiving up to $26,250 towards a bachelor qualification and up to $16,000 towards a postgraduate qualification, including for existing teachers wanting to upskill.
To meet the demand for qualified early childhood teachers in regional areas, the Labor Government is providing an additional payment for those who find work in regional or rural locations.
A further $225,000 will fund a targeted scholarship program to attract Aboriginal Victorians into the early childhood profession, which will support the 10-year Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan as well as additional bilingual educators.
School leavers, people wishing to change careers, bilingual speakers and those already working in early childhood are invited to apply.
These scholarships will continue to build a highly skilled early childhood teaching workforce to meet growing enrolments in kindergarten programs in Victoria.
This program is funded through a $135.9 million investment in early childhood education in the Victorian Budget 2018/19.
It builds on the work already underway through the landmark $202.1 million Education State Early Childhood Reform Plan, which recognises the importance of giving families support in early childhood, so kids are ready for kinder, ready for school and ready for life.
Applications will open on 1 October.
