THE HON EMMA MCBRIDE MP
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR RURAL AND REGIONAL HEALTH
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR DOBELL
DELIVERING A SUSTAINABLE EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE SECTOR IN DOBELL
The Albanese Government is supporting the early childhood education and care workforce, ensuring Central Coast families can make the choices that work for them around care, work hours and education.
The 2023-24 Budget will invest $72.4 million to support the skills and training of a quality and sustainable early childhood education and care sector.
The important investment will support the quality and highly trained early childhood education and care workforce through improved access to professional development opportunities – making it easier for educators to progress their careers.
The package will support around 75,000 early childhood educators, with a targeted focus on regional and remote services and First Nations organisations.
Support will be provided to services, enabling positions to be backfilled, while 75,000 early childhood educators, teachers and centre directors undertake professional development opportunities.
The package will also help 6,000 existing educators upskill, by providing financial support to help complete on-the-job teaching placements required by teacher education courses.
Additionally, 2,000 early childhood educators to undertake a practicum exchange at a different service, with a living allowance for students undertaking a practicum in a rural or remote location.
This vital investment will ensure high quality early childhood educators remain in the sector, with clear opportunities for career advancement.
From July, early childhood education and care will become more affordable for around 1.2 million Australian families thanks to reforms delivered by the Albanese Government.
These landmark reforms will ensure Australian families are empowered to make the choices that are right for them when it comes to early learning, workforce participation and further education – while also boosting the economic security of women.
