The Albanese Labor Government is expanding access to early education in Bathurst (NSW), Merredin (WA), Lalor (VIC) and Trevallyn (TAS), with the first four agreements under the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund large-scale grant round signed.
The large-scale grant round focuses on large not-for-profit providers with demonstrated experience delivering quality services.
Through these first agreements, two current centres will be expanded, and two new early learning centres will be built, improving access to early childhood education and care in areas of undersupply and need.
Two brand new services will be constructed in Lalor and Trevallyn, both to be run by Goodstart Early Learning.
The Australian Government will fully fund the construction of both projects at a cost of $5.9 million for Lalor and $6.8 million for Trevallyn.
It is estimated the Lalor service will have capacity for up to 87 early childhood education and care places, while the project in Trevallyn will create up to 69 places.
Construction in Lalor is expected to commence in late 2027, with the service currently estimated to open in early 2029, while construction will commence in Trevallyn later this year with the service currently estimated to open in early 2028.
In Western Australia, the Australian Government is partnering with Regional Early Education & Development (REED) to expand the existing Centre-Based Day Care (CBDC) service in Merredin.
The project, fully funded by the Australian Government at a cost of $3.3 million, will create an additional 35 places, increasing the service's capacity to 71.
Construction will start in early 2027, with the service expected to open later that year.
In Bathurst, the Australian Government will provide $1.3 million to support the expansion of SDN Hamilton St, with SDN Children's Services contributing $143,040.
This project will create an additional 24 early childhood education and care places, increasing the service's capacity from 52 places to 76 places.
Construction is expected to commence in the second half of 2027, with the expanded service expected to open by the second quarter of 2028.
More agreements under the large-scale grant round will be announced over coming months, further expanding access to early learning where Australian families need it most.
These agreements follow the recent completion of all eight Building Early Education Agreements with states and territories to deliver 42 early learning services, including 33 collocated with schools.
