Up to $106.9 million is available through the Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) to support early childhood education and care services, particularly in regional and rural communities.
The Albanese Government has also extended these grants from the previous two years to three years.
Since its introduction in 2018, the Australian Government has provided more than $300 million in CCCF funding to around 1,200 services.
This round of CCCF will complement the Building Early Education Fund, which is investing in expanding or building services in areas of need across Australia.
The building fund will include up to $40 million for operational expenditure to support new sites in addition to the CCCF.
Applications are open until 25 February 2026. For more information, visit the Federal Department of Education website: https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/providers/extra-support/community-child-care-fund/sustainability-and-capital-support-grant
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said every child deserved access to quality early learning, no matter their postcode or what their parents do for work.
“We know that quality early education sets up children for the best possible start in life. The Community Child Care Fund plays a critical role in making that happen by ensuring services can operate in more disadvantaged areas,” Mr Neumann said.
“In this round, we are targeting services in several priority areas across Ipswich, Southwest Brisbane and the Lockyer Valley, including Leichhardt - One Mile, North Ipswich - Tivoli, Redbank Plains, Riverview, Goodna, Inala - Richlands, Wacol, Crestmead and Gatton.
“This is why we’re also investing $1 billion through the Albanese Government’s Building Early Education Fund to build more early learning centres where families need them most, including in outer suburban and regional areas, like Ipswich, the Somerset Region and surrounds.
“This complements our new 3 Day Guarantee, which is providing three days of subsidised early learning each week for every child who needs it, no matter what their parents do, from 1 January this year.
“In addition, these reforms will benefit First Nations families, who will be eligible for five days a week of subsidised early learning.”
