Expanding access to early education in Western Australia

The Albanese and Cook Labor Governments have reached a historic agreement to invest more than $38 million to deliver four early learning early learning centres in Western Australia’s outer suburbs and remote communities.

This is the first time the Australian and Western Australian Governments have partnered to make 0-5 early education available on WA public school sites.

The Federal Government will invest up to $27.9 million through the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund to build four new early learning services, including at Maarakool Primary School, Greenmount Primary School, and an early learning and family centre in Derby.

This landmark Commonwealth funding complements the WA Government’s commitment to provide land on school sites for co-located early childhood education and care services.

The Building Early Education Fund is delivering more quality centres co-located with schools to help families avoid double drop-offs and help children smoothly transition to school.

The Albanese Government, Cook Government, and the Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children (IDAC) are also partnering with the Minderoo Foundation – through WA’s Early Years Partnership – to deliver a new Early Learning and Family Centre in Derby. The Albanese Government will invest $9 million to the project with the Cook Government contributing $7.5 million.

This partnership will support the creation of more than 140 early childhood education and care places.

A fourth project is well-advanced and will be announced by both governments shortly.

The Building Early Education Fund provides capital funding to build or expand early learning services in areas of need, helping families access quality early learning close to home.

These investments will support workforce participation, strengthen regional communities and help more children get a great start in life.

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:

“This is the trifecta. It’s good for parents, it’s good for kids and it’s good for public education.

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

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

“These projects in Western Australia 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 Early Childhood Education Jess Walsh:

“The Albanese Labor Government is building more quality not-for-profit services where families need them most.

“Our $1 billion Building Early Education Fund is delivering more early learning centres for more families in more places, particularly in our outer suburbs and regions.

“These projects mean more families can access early learning close to home and children can get a great start in life.

“And co-locating early learning services with schools helps children transition smoothly to school and gives families a one-stop drop.”

Quotes attributable to WA Minister for Early Childhood Sabine Winton:

“The Cook Labor Government is committed to supporting Western Australian children and families with access to high-quality early childhood education and care services.

“Putting early learning services alongside schools is a practical way to make life easier for families and help children build familiarity and confidence before they start school.

“As a former teacher and a mum of three daughters, I know how crucial the early years are, and I’m really pleased more families will have these services closer to home.”