Guidelines for financial support - aspiring diploma-qualified educators

The QualifySA in Early Childhood program offers financial support of up to $7000 (before tax) to South Australian residents who have received a letter of offer or an enrolment confirmation to an eligible early childhood diploma qualification.* In 2025, financial assistance for individuals wanting to become diploma-qualified educators is only available to those studying the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121) through TAFE SA, or through an Aboriginal Community Controlled Registered Training Organisation that offers the Diploma of Early Childhood and Care (CHC50121).

Students can apply for this financial assistance to study in addition to Fee Free TAFE, though priority will be given to applicants who are unable to access tuition support through other government initiatives.

Financial support recipients can use the funding to offset living expenses while studying and working to cover costs such as course fees, study materials, or accommodation associated with studies.

The payment includes up to $1,000 for the employer of the student, where the student is currently working in the South Australian early childhood sector. This funding can be used for various purposes such as partially covering the cost of backfilling during a participant's placement, supporting professional learning, allowing the participant to undertake studies without work duties, facilitating planning time, or upskilling another individual.

• Amounts listed are before tax.
• All applicants must intend to work in a South Australian early childhood service specifically working with 3-year-old children upon completion of their qualification. Early childhood services include long day care services providing a preschool program, and non-government and government run sessional preschools.
• Applicants must complete their qualification by 31 December 2028.
• Successful applicants will be required to contractually commit to working in the South Australian early childhood sector (preschool) after graduation for a minimum of 2 years.

*Further eligibility requirements apply as outlined under the Eligibility heading.

Eligibility

To be eligible for QualifySA in Early Childhood financial support, an applicant must be a South Australian resident AND:

• a citizen of Australian or New Zealand or hold a permanent resident of Australia visa AND
• have been accepted into TAFE SA’s Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (those enrolled in a Fee Free TAFE diploma place are still eligible)

OR

• have been accepted into an Aboriginal Community Controlled Registered Training Organisation that offers the Diploma of Early Childhood and Care (CHC50121).

If the program receives more applications than it can accommodate, preference will be given to specific groups such as:

• educators in rural and regional areas
• those in metropolitan services with a significant number of vulnerable or disadvantaged children
• educators who have not benefited from financial support, or incentives provided by the Office for Early Childhood Development or another funding source.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - financial support

Financial support of up to $9000 (before tax) is being offered to South Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who have received a letter of offer or an enrolment confirmation to an eligible early childhood diploma qualification.*

For more information, refer to the: Guidelines for financial support – Aboriginal pathways.

Regional and remote students - additional financial support

Funding information

• Applicants should have already been accepted into an eligible course, and all funding is contingent on a recipient submitting satisfactory evidence they have completed study requirements and remain enrolled.
• Students will receive payments per academic year, adjusted for recognition of prior learning (RPL), other reductions in course duration or completed subjects/units of study prior to being approved to receive financial support.
• For the purposes of the funding application, a part-time student must be studying a minimum 0.5 load. This is half of what is considered to be a full-time load by your institution. To calculate this, you will need to confirm the number of units or points your institution deems as full-time and halve that number.
• If your study extends beyond the standard duration of time for expected completion due to circumstances such as studying part-time, not passing subjects, withdrawing, or other considerations (such as completing a 3-year course over 5 years), the timing of your scheduled payments will be adjusted.
• Applicants must complete the qualification by 31 December 2028.
• Applicants should intend to work in a South Australian early childhood service specifically working with 3-year-old children upon completion of their qualifications. This includes working in long day care services providing a preschool program, and non-government and government run sessional preschools.
• A successful applicant will be required to contractually commit to working in a preschool program as an educator in the South Australian early childhood sector for a minimum of 2 years after graduation.
• Eligibility for employment retention payments extends to both fixed term and ongoing roles in the South Australian early childhood sector.

Considerations before applying

• Applicants must assess their financial situation, as they are responsible for additional expenses beyond the awarded amount.
• Funding amounts are pre-tax, and recipients must seek independent advice on potential impacts on taxation and government benefit schemes.

Applications, assessment, and funding recipient obligations

• Applications for this program are submitted online.
• Applications are assessed by an external administrator, in accordance with the eligibility criteria.
• Upon approval, successful candidates sign a legally binding funding agreement outlining rights and responsibilities.
• Financial support is disbursed based on milestone conditions to be met by the recipient, with potential repayment obligations for non-compliance.
• To access the employer payment, applicants must consult with their employer before applying and include their employer's details in the application.

To provide feedback, or to raise concerns about the financial support program, please contact the Workforce team directly at OECD.ECWorkforceSupport@sa.gov.au

Email: sascholarships@busyatwork.com.au

Phone: 1300 050 509