Expanding access to early education in the Northern Territory

The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have reached an agreement for $8.7 million in funding to deliver a new early childhood education and care service in Darwin.

This is part of the Albanese Labor Government’s $1 billion Building Early Education Fund delivering vital capital investment to build and expand early learning services in communities where they are needed most.

This is the eighth and final Federation Funding Agreement signed with the States and Territories for the Building Early Education Fund, completing the initial State and Territory stage. Outcomes of funding rounds for small and large providers will follow soon.

Through this partnership with the Northern Territory Government, a new 60-place early childhood education and care service will be established at Manunda Terrace Primary School in Karama in Darwin’s northern suburbs, creating greater access to high-quality early learning for local families. 

The agreement includes a preference for an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation to operate the service.

This agreement marks an important milestone in delivering the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to establish a new early learning centre in Karama which will support local families and communities.

The agreement also includes a commitment to build a service in Tennant Creek, with further details to be agreed.

The Building Early Education Fund helps deliver more quality centres co-located at schools, helping families avoid the double drop-off and facilitating a smooth transition to school for children. 

More information about the Building Early Education Fund is available at: Building Early Education Fund - Department of Education, Australian Government

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare: 

“The Building Early Education Fund is helping to deliver more quality early education places for families in communities that need them most.

“Now we have agreements signed with all States and Territories to do just that.

“Where you grow up shouldn’t determine whether you can access early education.

“These new services in the Northern Territory will mean more families can access early learning close to home and more children start school ready to go and ready to learn.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians and Senator for the Northern Territory, Malarndirri McCarthy: 

“This agreement for new early childhood education and care services in Darwin and Tennant Creek is welcome news for Territory families.

“Early education is all about giving our youngest a great start in life and getting them ready to start primary school.

“The latest data shows we’ve closed the gap on pre-school enrolments and these new services are another way we’re working to ensure more Territory children thrive in their early years.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education Jess Walsh:

“The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on our election commitment to build a new early childhood education and care service in Karama.

“Being co-located with the local primary school will make the transition to school easier for children and help make life easier for families too.

“The service in Tennant Creek will also help give more local children a great start in life. 

“Our $1 billion Building Early Education Fund is delivering more early learning services where families need them most, giving more children the best possible start in life.

“By signing Federation Funding Agreements with all States and Territories, we are getting on with the job of delivering real change for families across Australia.”