Grants for not-for-profit providers to expand access to early education

The Albanese Labor Government is expanding access to early education in Bathurst (NSW), Merredin (WA), Lalor (VIC) and Trevallyn (TAS), with the first four agreements under the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund large-scale grant round signed.

The large-scale grant round focuses on large not-for-profit providers with demonstrated experience delivering quality services.

Through these first agreements, two current centres will be expanded, and two new early learning centres will be built, improving access to early childhood education and care in areas of undersupply and need.

Two brand new services will be constructed in Lalor and Trevallyn, both to be run by Goodstart Early Learning.

The Australian Government will fully fund the construction of both projects at a cost of $5.9 million for Lalor and $6.8 million for Trevallyn.

It is estimated the Lalor service will have capacity for up to 87 early childhood education and care places, while the project in Trevallyn will create up to 69 places.

Construction in Lalor is expected to commence in late 2027, with the service currently estimated to open in early 2029, while construction will commence in Trevallyn later this year with the service currently estimated to open in early 2028.

In Western Australia, the Australian Government is partnering with Regional Early Education & Development (REED) to expand the existing Centre-Based Day Care (CBDC) service in Merredin.

The project, fully funded by the Australian Government at a cost of $3.3 million, will create an additional 35 places, increasing the service’s capacity to 71.

Construction will start in early 2027, with the service expected to open later that year.

In Bathurst, the Australian Government will provide $1.3 million to support the expansion of SDN Hamilton St, with SDN Children's Services contributing $143,040.

This project will create an additional 24 early childhood education and care places, increasing the service's capacity from 52 places to 76 places.

Construction is expected to commence in the second half of 2027, with the expanded service expected to open by the second quarter of 2028.

More agreements under the large-scale grant round will be announced over coming months, further expanding access to early learning where Australian families need it most.

These agreements follow the recent completion of all eight Building Early Education Agreements with states and territories to deliver 42 early learning services, including 33 collocated with schools.

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 Early Childhood Education Jess Walsh:

“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.

“The large-scale grant round will increase access to quality early learning where families need it most.

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

Quotes attributable to Dr Ros Baxter CEO Goodstart Early Learning:

“Goodstart is excited to partner with the Australian Government to develop new services in underserved communities to ensure more children have access to high-quality early learning.

“Lalor and Trevallyn are both growing communities with significant unmet demand for early learning and this joint investment by Goodstart and the Government will help fill that gap.

“Goodstart will be making a significant contribution towards these new centres covering the cost of land acquisition and overall management of the project.”

Quotes attributable to Chair Regional Early Education and Development Inc. Wendy Newman:

“REED Inc sincerely thanks the Federal Government for investing in critical infrastructure through the BEEF to grow our services in regional and remote WA.  

“The investment acknowledges our hard work in growing services of the highest standards in terms of education, care and safety.  

“I sincerely thank the REED team, local state and federal agencies for working with us to deliver this important investment.

“As a community driven not-for-profit we continue to strengthen equitable access to unleash life-long learners in regional WA.”

Quotes attributable to SDN CEO Kay Turner:

“This investment is a significant vote of confidence in the important role of not-for-profit early childhood education and care providers, such as SDN.

“We are proud to partner with the Australian Government to expand SDN Hamilton St and create more opportunities for children and families in Bathurst to access high-quality early learning.

“I am especially proud of the SDN Hamilton St team, whose daily dedication, commitment, and connection to the community has made the service such a valued part of local families’ lives.”