A new government support initiative aimed at strengthening South Australia’s early childhood workforce is gaining significant traction as the state prepares for the rollout of preschool for three-year-olds.
Launched in July as part of a $96.6 million investment, the program provides financial assistance to aspiring and current early childhood teachers, with over 100 applicants already pre-approved for up to $25,000, a news release highlighted.
The financial support covers various levels of study, offering up to $25,000 for bachelor’s degrees, $17,000 for master’s degrees, and $7,000 for diplomas. Additional support of up to $34,000 is available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, while a “Grow Your Own” allowance of up to $10,000 is available for regional and remote students, with 11 individuals already pre-approved.
In a statement, education minister Blair Boyer praised the program’s early success: “We are thrilled that South Australians are seizing the opportunity to study early childhood through this new financial support program. The government’s roll-out of preschool for three-year-olds marks an exciting chapter in early childhood for this state and the largest reform to education in decades.”
The program is expected to expand in 2025, with hundreds more students anticipated to benefit from Semester One. The government is collaborating with universities and TAFE SA to attract a larger pool of candidates into the sector, which faces record demand for qualified professionals.
This financial assistance comes as the South Australian Government introduces legislation to improve early childhood education outcomes. The new law will empower the recently established Office for Early Childhood Development, which is focused on reducing the number of children entering school developmentally vulnerable. Currently, nearly 24% of children in South Australia are at risk in at least one area of development upon starting school.
“The Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care set a very clear pathway for us to improve educational outcomes for young people,” Boyer said. “We need to expand the workforce in this critical sector.”
Scholarship recipients have expressed enthusiasm for the program. Raji Sanu, an aspiring teacher, said, “Being a teacher can positively impact [children’s] early years of learning, which is pivotal to their long-term success.”
Veteran educator Amy Kennedy, with nearly two decades of experience, highlighted the opportunity to advance her career, stating, “[I] am excited about the opportunity to further my career and be able to continue pursuing my passion for early childhood education.”
The financial support is part of the broader Early Childhood Workforce Strategy, designed to attract and retain more professionals in the field.