Building Early Education Fund (BEEF) — Small-Scale Capital Grants
The Australian Government has opened a dedicated capital grants package for small not-for-profit ECEC providers to build or expand early learning services in communities where they are needed most.

Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit organisations operating between 1 and 9 Centre Based Day Care (CBDC) services and hold current Child Care Subsidy (CCS) approval. You will need local council support and secure tenure over the land to apply. The program also supports NFP providers wishing to modify an existing building for in-venue Family Day Care in areas where no ECEC service currently operates.

Grants of up to $3 million per site are available, with at least $20 million allocated to this round. Priority is given to projects in outer suburbs, regional and remote communities, areas near school sites, areas of high unmet need, and projects that improve access for First Nations families.

To apply, download and complete the application form on the Department of Education website and submit by 5 pm AEST on 29 May 2026. For questions, email BuildingFundSmallScaleGrant@education.gov.au before 15 May 2026.

Closes: 29 May 2026
More information: education.gov.au — BEEF Small-Scale Grants

Building Early Education Fund (BEEF) — Supplemental Operational Funding
Time-limited operational support is available to help BEEF-funded ECEC services open and operate sustainably following construction.

This funding is available exclusively to organisations that have already been awarded a Building Early Education Fund capital grant and can demonstrate a need for operational support. It cannot be used for capital works. Funding amounts are determined on a case-by-case basis, drawn from a total pool of up to $40 million.

Applications are accepted at any time — apply via the supplemental operational funding application form on the Department of Education website.

Closes: Rolling — apply any time up to 30 June 2029
More information: education.gov.au — BEEF Supplemental Operational Funding

Building Early Education Fund (BEEF) — ACCO Capital Grants
At least $20 million in dedicated capital funding is available for new or expanded ECEC services led by Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs).

This program is by invitation only. The Department of Education will contact eligible ACCOs directly, in consultation with First Nations partners and peak bodies. Full application details and guidelines will be provided with the invitation.

Closes: By invitation — ongoing
More information: education.gov.au — BEEF ACCO Capital Grants

Professional Development Subsidy — National Child Safety Training
From 28 April 2026, ECEC educators, early childhood teachers, and directors at CCS-approved services can apply for a subsidy covering five hours of paid time to complete the mandatory national child safety training. From 2026–27, this subsidy specifically supports the national child safety training program.

Opens: 28 April 2026 — closing date to be confirmed on the grant page
More information: education.gov.au — Professional Development Subsidy

Building Blocks Grants — Capacity Building
The Victorian Government provides substantial capital grants to not-for-profit organisations and local councils to build or expand kindergartens delivering Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten (Free Kinder) programs. For-profit organisations are not eligible.

Eligible project types and funding amounts (ex GST) are:

New Early Learning Facility — up to $4,000,000 for a 2-room facility (66 places) | $6,000,000 for 3 rooms (99 places) | $8,000,000 for 4 rooms (132 places)

Integrated Children's Centre (combining kindergarten with health, care and family services) — up to $4,500,000 for 2 rooms | $6,750,000 for 3 rooms | $9,000,000 for 4 rooms

Expansion (adding rooms to an existing service) — up to $1,500,000 per additional room, up to $4,500,000 for 3 additional rooms

Modular Kindergarten Buildings (relocatable, fast-delivery buildings) — 1-room standard (33 places): ~$1.5M | 2-room: ~$2.3M | 3-room: ~$3.5M | 1-room compact: ~$2.0M | 2-room compact: ~$3.2M

A co-contribution is only required if the project includes long day care beyond standard kindergarten rooms. Applications are submitted through the SmartyGrants portal at schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au and are assessed in batched rounds throughout the year — allow approximately three months for an outcome.

Closes: Ongoing — applications accepted year-round
More information: schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au — Capacity Building

Building Blocks Grants — Planning
Planning grants of up to $150,000 (ex GST) are available to not-for-profit community organisations, local councils, and registered non-government schools for the pre-construction and planning phase of a kindergarten capacity project. No co-contribution is required. For-profit organisations are not eligible.

Eligible costs include architect and quantity surveyor fees, project management, feasibility studies, planning permits, geotechnical and contamination assessments, and staff time allocated to planning work. Funded planning must be completed within 12 months of the grant agreement being executed.

Apply at any time through the SmartyGrants portal at schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au.

Closes: Ongoing — applications accepted year-round
More information: schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au — Planning

Queensland Kindy Uplift Program 2026
The Queensland Government provides quarterly Kindy Uplift payments to all approved Kindergarten Program Providers (KPPs) participating in Free Kindy, supporting the delivery of quality, evidence-based kindergarten programs across the state.

To be eligible in 2026, your service must have obtained KPP approval before 30 September 2025 and be participating in the Free Kindy program. Both NFP and for-profit approved providers receive this funding. Funding can be directed toward professional development, evidence-based programs, curriculum resources, and educator support across six priority areas: culturally safe programs, social-emotional learning, physical activity, executive function, language and literacy, and mathematics.

Current KPPs do not need to submit a separate application — payments are made automatically on a quarterly basis. Services wishing to become an approved KPP for the first time should apply through QGrants. For a funding estimate specific to your service, contact kindyuplift@qed.qld.gov.au.

Closes: Ongoing — quarterly payments throughout 2026
More information: earlychildhood.qld.gov.au — Kindy Uplift Program

2026 Start Strong for Community Preschools
The NSW Government's Start Strong program provides substantial ongoing funding to not-for-profit community preschools and mobile preschool services to deliver affordable, qualified teacher-led early childhood education. New providers can apply throughout 2026.

To be eligible, your service must be a not-for-profit community preschool or mobile preschool with national service approval, deliver a program led by a qualified early childhood teacher, and work toward 600 annual hours of preschool for enrolled children.

Funding includes two payments: a Program Payment supporting operating costs, and a Fee Relief Payment to reduce or eliminate fees for families. Individual payment amounts vary by service and are drawn from a total program pool of approximately $550 million.

New service providers should email ecec.funding@det.nsw.edu.au to receive an application link, or apply through the NSW Grants and Funding Finder. Your application will need to demonstrate local need, planned enrolments, an affordable fee structure, and value for money. Allow 12–16 weeks for the department to assess your application.

Closes: 31 December 2026
More information: nsw.gov.au — Start Strong Community Preschools

2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care — New Services
Funding is available for newly established long day care services in NSW that have not previously received Start Strong funding, supporting the delivery of quality preschool education to 3 and 4-year-old children.

Eligible services must be CCS-approved Centre Based Day Care (CBDC) services that recently commenced operations, delivering a qualified early childhood teacher-led program under the National Quality Framework, and taking reasonable steps to deliver 600 hours of preschool to enrolled children. NFP providers, Multifunctional Aboriginal Children's Services (MACS), occasional care and mobile services are all eligible. Grants range from $5,000 to $200,000.

Apply via SmartyGrants (register if you are a new user). You will need to provide a CCSS-generated enrolment report and a Childcare Management Software report confirming enrolled children. The department will assess your submission against Child Care Subsidy System data and advise of the outcome.

Closes: 31 December 2026 (Opened 26 March 2026)
More information: nsw.gov.au — Start Strong Long Day Care New Services

3-Year-Old Preschool (Flying Start) — Provider Expression of Interest
The South Australian Government is expanding its Flying Start 3-Year-Old Preschool program and is welcoming expressions of interest from not-for-profit providers interested in partnering to deliver the program.

NFP organisations and Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) not currently approved as providers are encouraged to express interest at any time throughout 2026. Partner services receive government funding to support the cost of delivering 3-year-old preschool, along with access to quality tools, professional development opportunities, and professional networks. Detailed funding conditions are set out in the Policy and Funding Guide, available on the OECD website.

To express interest, email OECD.PreschoolFunding@sa.gov.au or submit via the SA Government's online EOI portal.

Closes: Ongoing — expressions of interest accepted throughout 2026
More information: earlychildhood.sa.gov.au — Flying Start

There are no open competitive grant programs for NFP childcare or early learning providers in Western Australia at this time. The most recent state program — the Supporting Children in ECEC WA Grant, administered by Child Australia — closed in September 2025, and a new round has not yet been announced.

NFP providers in Western Australia are encouraged to monitor the following for upcoming opportunities:

Child Australia ECEC Grants Program: childaustralia.org.au
WA Department of Education: education.wa.edu.au
WA Government Grants Portal: wa.gov.au/government/grants

Western Australian providers are also eligible for the national BEEF Small-Scale Capital Grants (closing 29 May 2026) — see the National section above.