Draft policy and funding guide

Service changes

Partner services must notify the OECD if there are any changes to its operation that may impact the funding agreement, such as a change of ownership, service approval details or service closure.

Transferring service approval

Partner service status does not transfer with a change of service details, either through the transfer of a service approval or an application for a new service approval with the ESB. A new approved provider would need to apply again for that service to become a partner service.

If a service ceases to operate

If a partner service closes or ceases trading, before that date, they must:

  • complete all outstanding financial acquittals
  • stop spending funds after the date of closure
  • return all unexpended and unaccounted funds to the OECD no later than 30 days after the service closure date, or as agreed by the OECD
  • comply with any direction by the OECD under the funding agreement.

The OECD may take action if a partner service has stated that it proposes to close or cease trading, including withholding funding for the service where it relates to a period after the proposed date of closure.

No funding will be provided by the OECD for a service that has closed or ceased trading, for a period after the date of closure.

Note: approved providers must follow steps to comply with regulatory requirements under the National Law and National Regulations, including notifying the ESB within 7 days of ceasing to operate the education and care service (under section 173(2)(d) of the National Law).

Withdrawing from program

Where a partner service notifies the OECD that they will not deliver the funded preschool program, they:

  • must give 90 days’ notice
  • will be ineligible for preschool funding
  • will be removed from all future collections
  • will need to reapply if seeking to become a partner service again.