NFP Grant Funding Hub
Not-For-Profit Funding Resource.
The Australian Government is providing significant funding for not-for-profit (NFP) childcare providers, led by the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund (BEEF), which supports new builds and expansions in high-need areas. Alongside it sit state capital programs such as Victoria’s Building Blocks grants and South Australia’s Flying Start, plus dedicated funding for Indigenous-led services – all aimed at improving accessibility and viability in disadvantaged or regional areas. Below is every program currently open to NFP operators, state by state.
NFP Childcare Funding Opportunities – September 2026
Funding Allocations.
Last updated: 2 September 2026 · All listings have open or upcoming application periods
Click on the state you require, to view all the specific funding.
BEEF – Supplemental Operational Funding
Time-limited operational support to help BEEF-funded ECEC services open and operate sustainably following construction. It cannot be used for capital works. Apply any time via the supplemental operational funding application form on the Department of Education website.
BEEF – ACCO Capital Grants
At least $20 million in dedicated capital funding for new or expanded ECEC services led by Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs). By invitation only – the Department of Education contacts eligible ACCOs directly, in consultation with First Nations partners and peak bodies.
ECEC Worker Retention Payment
Government funding paid to services to lift eligible workers’ wages, plus additional funding toward related on-costs. Payments are delivered through the Child Care Subsidy System. Providers who opt in must engage workers under a compliant workplace instrument, limit fee increases, pass the funding through to eligible workers, and meet safety standards from July 2027. Applications are currently open to Centre Based Day Care and Outside School Hours Care providers; the department will publish details for Family Day Care and In Home Care providers shortly.
Small Provider Relief Payment
A fixed payment for smaller providers who take part in the Australian Government’s Early Education Service Delivery Prices project – the national exercise establishing the true cost of delivering quality ECEC. No application is required: the Department of Education assesses eligibility from the data you submit and contacts you to arrange payment. Funds can be used however you choose.
Recently closed – watch for the next round
Three major national rounds have now closed and are pending or fully allocated. If your project is a candidate for any of them, the work to become grant-ready is best done before the next round opens, not after.
- BEEF Small-Scale Capital GrantsClosed 29 May 2026 – outcomes pending. education.gov.au →
- BEEF Large-Scale Grant RoundClosed 17 March 2026 – outcomes pending. education.gov.au →
- Community Child Care Fund – Sustainability & Capital SupportRound 5 closed 25 February 2026 and was fully allocated on 20 August 2026 – $106.9 million across 386 services. No Round 6 dates announced. education.gov.au →
Building Blocks Grants – Capacity Building
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. Apply any time via the SmartyGrants portal; applications are assessed in batched rounds throughout the year, with outcomes usually advised around three months after submission.
Building Blocks Grants – Planning
Planning grants for the pre-construction and planning phase of a kindergarten capacity project – architect and QS fees, project management, feasibility studies, planning permits, geotechnical and contamination assessments, and staff time. No co-contribution required. Funded planning must be completed within 12 months. Note that new buildings constructed after 1 January 2027 must meet Victoria’s electrification requirements.
Expanding Quality Access Program
Funding for not-for-profit community preschools to transition an existing preschool to a long day care service model – part of the $100 million NSW Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund. Assessment is demand-driven and non-competitive, on a first-come first-served basis, so early submission matters. A separate application is required for each service, and incomplete forms are not assessed.
Start Strong for Community Preschools
Substantial ongoing funding to not-for-profit community preschools and mobile preschool services. The original 2026 round has closed and been superseded, but new providers can still apply throughout 2026 via the current SmartyGrants portal. Email ecec.funding@det.nsw.edu.au for an application link and allow 12–16 weeks for assessment.
2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care – New Services
Funding for newly established long day care services that have not previously received Start Strong funding. Services are not required to lodge a competitive application – the Department of Education identifies new services through regular enrolment data checks using February and June 2026 data. Contact ecec.funding@det.nsw.edu.au if your service has recently commenced.
Important: NSW funding is being restructured from 1 January 2027
The NSW Government has confirmed a significant change to how early learning services are funded. If you operate in NSW, this changes your revenue model – and it is worth modelling before you commit to a project.
- Universal Preschool FundingReplaces Start Strong for Community Preschools. Three and four-year-olds move to equal funding rates, most operational costs are covered by government, and family out-of-pocket costs are capped at current rates or $20 per day.
- Fee Relief for Long Day CareReplaces Start Strong for Long Day Care, with increased fee relief for eligible preschool-aged children. Long day care program payments cease in December 2026.
- Disability and Inclusion ProgramMoves to a tiered funding model, with support increasing by up to 25% for some children.
- 2027 guidelinesStill to be released – services are advised to plan now. Read the department’s announcement →
Queensland Kindy Uplift Program 2026
Quarterly Kindy Uplift payments to all approved Kindergarten Program Providers (KPPs) participating in Free Kindy, directed toward professional development, evidence-based programs, curriculum resources and educator support across six priority areas. Current KPPs are paid automatically each quarter; services wishing to become a KPP apply through QGrants.
Minor Capital Works Grants – Sessional Kindergartens
Ongoing capital funding for sessional kindergarten providers delivering Free Kindy in low socio-economic, rural and remote areas – covering access improvements such as ramps and rails, modifications supporting the inclusion of children with disability, and upgrades to kitchens, bathrooms and hearing assistance technology. Applications are made through your central governing body rather than direct to the department.
Flying Start Infrastructure Grants
South Australia’s dedicated capital co-investment program – $40 million over four years to build new or expanded early childhood facilities in areas of demonstrated unmet demand. The Office for Early Childhood Development confirms these grants are always open for application via SmartyGrants, with no round deadline. Successful applicants enter into a grant deed with the Government of South Australia. Discuss your project early with oecd.infrastructure@sa.gov.au.
Flying Start – 3-Year-Old Preschool Provider EOI
The South Australian Government is expanding its Flying Start 3-Year-Old Preschool program and welcomes expressions of interest from not-for-profit providers. Partner services receive government funding plus access to quality tools, professional development and networks. Email OECD.PreschoolFunding@sa.gov.au or submit via the SA Government online EOI portal.
Flying Start Workforce Grants – Round 3
Round 3 is now open, supporting early childhood services in regional, rural and hard-to-staff communities to attract and retain a skilled workforce – building collaboration between local services, delivering training, and running attraction and retention campaigns. All activities must be completed within 12 months of the grant being awarded.
Flying Start Aboriginal Workforce Grants – Round 2
Grants for early childhood services working to increase Aboriginal workforce participation and embed culturally safe practice. Applications are submitted through SmartyGrants and remain open until the funding pool is exhausted.
Thriving Kids Family and Children Support Program
A major new Western Australian program distributing up to $52 million to community organisations delivering culturally safe, community-based supports for children aged 8 and under with developmental concerns, delay or autism, and their families. Register on SmartyGrants and submit before the deadline. This funds services and programs rather than centre construction – confirm fit for your proposed activity.
ECEC WA Grant Program – Preschool Reform Agreement
The 2026 round is now open. Administered by Child Australia on behalf of the sector, this program distributes Preschool Reform Agreement funding to Western Australian services delivering preschool programs, for initiatives that improve outcomes for children. More than 80 organisations have been funded over the past three years. A Q&A webinar is scheduled for 7 September 2026.
Better Beginnings Family Literacy Community Grants
A $200,000 pool from the State Library of Western Australia supporting early reading and literacy activities tailored to local communities. Two tiers are available – Micro Grants and Innovation Grants. Applications are submitted via Submittable and the round opened on 28 August 2026. This funds programs rather than facilities.
Capital funding in WA is flowing through government-to-government agreements
There is currently no open competitive capital grant round for NFP providers in Western Australia. Instead, the Australian Government is delivering up to $27.9 million through the Building Early Education Fund via a Federation Funding Agreement with the WA Government, targeting sites on or near public school land. Four projects were confirmed in August 2026 – Maarakool Primary School, Greenmount Primary School, an Early Learning and Family Centre in Derby, and a fourth site to be announced – delivering more than 140 new places.
NFP operators interested in running these services should approach the WA Department of Education directly rather than waiting for a grant round.
- Building Early Education Fundeducation.gov.au/early-childhood/about/building-early-education-fund →
- WA Department of Educationeducation.wa.edu.au →
- WA Government Grants Portalwa.gov.au/government/grants →
No open competitive grant applications currently available
NFP providers in Tasmania looking to be considered for future opportunities are encouraged to:
- Subscribe to grant updateseducationandcare.tas.gov.au/grants/project-grants →
- Contact the grants teamgrants.ecu@decyp.tas.gov.au · 6165 5425 or 1800 816 057
- Delivery on government school landThe department’s expression of interest process for ECEC on government school sites closed in June 2025, but the department continues to welcome approaches. Email landaccess@decyp.tas.gov.au
Your Partner
Grant-funded childcare development
As Australia’s leading specialists in childcare centre development, with a proven 100% success rate in securing DA approvals, our integrated approach – combining property development expertise with deep grant and funding knowledge to de-risk the entire process – has enabled NFPs to successfully secure multi-million-dollar grants and bring vital childcare facilities to life.
Our integrated model brings together grant strategy, design expertise, development management and project delivery from concept to completion – ensuring every centre meets both community needs and funding requirements.
How We Assist
Six deliverables, one grant-ready pack.
Each is decision-grade in its own right – and together they are the development pipeline a winning grant application is built on.
Childcare Needs & HBU Modelling
The site is scored against childcare and its alternatives, paired with analysis of local population trends, growth forecasts and childcare demand.
Project Costing
A QS-grade cost plan – construction, consultant fees, authority contributions and contingency – that survives assessor scrutiny and acquittal.
Concept Plan
A licensing-compliant preliminary site layout and architectural facade concept – by registered childcare designers – that assessors can see, not just read.
Project Risk Assessment
A plain-language risk register across planning, budget, programme and delivery – with mitigations attached. Assessors trust applications that name their risks.
Project Timeline
A realistic, milestone-based programme from grant award through to centre opening – the schedule assessors use to judge deliverability.
Grant Application Development Report
The five deliverables, compiled and written to your target programme’s exact assessment criteria – the document your board lifts into the application portal.
Won Funding – What Next?
Our Development Management service takes grant-funded projects from award through to PC and acquittal.
From Vision to Funded Success
Your journey starts with Mollard Property Group
For expert insight and a clear roadmap of your next steps to become ‘grant ready’, start with a grant readiness consultation. Together, we can ensure your project is fundable, compliant, and ready to deliver impact.
Confidential. NFP-friendly fee terms. Most enquiries answered within 24 hours.
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Victoria’s Building Blocks guide
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