Early childhood teaching scholarships in Australia
By Sarah Vercoe
Scholarships and financial support could help you pursue your dreams in early childhood education. Here's what you need to know about the government and university programs available to you in 2026.
Early childhood scholarships: what you need to know
Whether you’re fresh out of school, looking to switch careers, studying from remote Australia, or need support due to financial hardship, there are programs out there designed to help. And while they certainly ease financial pressure, they can help in other ways, too.
Liam Stewart from Australian Catholic University’s All Points to Teaching program explains scholarships offer students other benefits too.
“Scholarships often come with extra support, and a social cohort experience, which can also contribute to success for people when transitioning to university study, or when juggling work-life-study balance,” he says.
Types of scholarships for early childhood educators
From government schemes to university funding, the list of scholarships available to help support aspiring early childhood educators across Australia isn’t short. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of scholarships available for early childhood educators.
Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship
The Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship is a government-funded program designed to provide financial support to new undergraduate and postgraduate teaching students. These scholarships are offered in ‘rounds’ until 2028, with up to 1,000 scholarships offered per year.
Funding: Up to $40,000 for undergraduate students and $20,000 for postgraduate students.
Eligibility: You must be new to an accredited, full-time teaching degree. You also need to be willing to commit to teaching in a government school or early learning setting after graduation. This Eligibility Tool can help you check if you’re eligible to apply.
How to apply: Applying is easy and can be done through the Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship website.
Deadline: Applications open midyear for the following academic year. At the time of publishing, round 3 applications are open until 12 January 2026.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
The Educational Access Scheme is designed to support Year 12 students who faced educational disadvantage during their last years of school. While EAS doesn't provide direct funding, successful assessment can automatically qualify you for university-specific scholarships. A list of participating institutions can be found on the Universities Admission Centre website.
Funding: Rather than providing direct funding, EAS assessment qualifies you for university scholarships.
Eligibility: You need to be a Year 12 students (current or recent) who has experienced educational disadvantage, including low socioeconomic conditions, school disruption, personal illness or disability, family hardship, and natural disaster impact, during your senior years of school.
How to apply: Once you’ve checked your eligibility, you can complete an Educational Access Scheme application through the Universities Admission Centre.
Deadline: Check the Universities Admission Centre for key dates. At the time of publishing, you must apply and provide relevant documentation by 25 December 2025 to be considered in January for round 1. The closing date for semester 1, 2026 is 6 February 2026.
Equity Scholarships
Equity Scholarships provide a pathway for students experiencing significant financial hardship, with most recipients receiving Centrelink payments such as ABSTUDY, Austudy, Youth Allowance, JobSeeker, DSP, Parenting Payment (Single) or Carer Payment.
Funding: Funding varies by university and individual circumstances.
Eligibility: You need to be a student from a low income, low-SES background, or someone who has experienced long-term financial hardship, disability, carer responsibilities, or disrupted schooling.
How to apply: Submit one application through your state's tertiary admissions centre (UAC, QTAC, VTAC, SATAC, or TISC). You'll automatically be considered for equity scholarships at participating universities.
Deadline: Multiple dates, Check the Universities Admission Centre for specific details.
University specific scholarships
These scholarships are offered by our partner universities and are available to early childhood education students. Or explore general teaching scholarships by state if you want to see the full list of what's on offer for those completing an initial teacher education (ITE) degree.
Duncan Family Scholarship in Early Childhood Education, University of New England
Funding: $5,000 annually
Eligibility: You need to be enrolled in a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education and Care), Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) or Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching) and be able to demonstrate your financial need. You can be studying online or on campus.
How to apply: Apply online through UNE’s scholarships portal.
Deadline: 4 January 2026 for Semester 1. Check back again for 2027 dates.
Future Teachers Scholarship Fund, Edith Cowan University
Funding: $5,000
Eligibility: You need to be a final-year student in the field of education who is facing financial hardship during prac placements.
How to apply: Online via Edith Cowan University’s scholarships portal.
Deadline: Varies by semester, with the next deadline on 30 August 2026. More information is available on the Edith Cowan website.
Indigenous Education Support Scholarship, University of Newcastle
Funding: $40,000
Eligibility: You must be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, enrolled in any full-time undergraduate degree.
How to apply: Apply online via University of Newcastle.
Deadline: 8 February 2026.
Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) Education Costs Scholarship, University of Southern Queensland
Funding: Up to $4,000
Eligibility: You must be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person commencing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree through UniSQ.
How to apply: Applications should be made via the UniSQ Scholarships Online Application Management System.
Deadline: There are multiple deadlines each year, depending on when you’re applying. Upcoming deadlines are 27 January 2026 for Trimester 1, 18 May 2026 for Trimester 2 and 31 August 2026 for Trimester 3. Check the key dates on the UniSQ website for updates.
Still searching for a relevant scholarship?
Check directly with universities offering early childhood education programs, either via their website or scholarships department.
If you’re still not sure where to go, our student advisors can help point you in the right direction. Book a consultation at a time that suits you now.
Applying for scholarships in early childhood education
Applying for a scholarship might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. Let’s break it down into clear, manageable steps.
Understand what each scholarship is looking for
Before you even write your name at the top of your application, take time to dig into what each scholarship is looking for in an applicant.
“Understand the scholarship, who it is aimed to support and what it is trying to achieve,” says Liam. “Think deeply about how you fulfil the criteria and give detailed and personalised information addressing that criteria.”
Be yourself, but also be strategic
One of the biggest mistakes you can make in a scholarship application? Giving generic answers. Or worse, AI written answers.
“Generative AI responses to the scholarship criteria that essentially just repeat the criteria in slightly different wording but don't provide specific evidence or show your personality,” says Liam.
Instead, be yourself and show why you’re a good fit.
Show both your professionalism and your personality,” suggests Liam. “Show that you’ve thought deeply about why you’re a strong applicant, and communicate that using your personal style in an engaging way.
Provide concrete evidence of why you’re a good fit
Passionate about early childhood education? Good. But don’t just claim you’re passionate about it in your application, demonstrate it.
Liam encourages applicants not to miss opportunities to strengthen your application with references or extra evidence of volunteering or engaging in community. Perhaps you’ve completed relevant short courses, supported children with additional needs, or have another connection to early childhood education that showcase your passion. Include these details.
If you’re from an underrepresented background, own your story
If you come from a rural or remote area, identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, or have a low SES background, don’t downplay your story. Many scholarships prioritise these details in your application.
“If you identify in an equity group then make this clear and communicate candidly about who you are, and what your strengths as a candidate are. Consider if your identity creates a story around strength, resilience, community or passion and demonstrates that,” says Liam.
“Speak personally about what drives you, and how that aligns with your success in the program.”
Don’t forget the (seemingly) tiny details
Each scholarship has its own specific requirements. Become familiar with them and follow them to a tee. Meet word counts, submit by deadline, and present all your materials professionally. These may be tiny details, but they’re details that matter.
Better yet, don’t be afraid to go the extra mile. Liam says students who submit "well edited videos that show extra effort and engagement with the application process" demonstrate serious commitment.
Ask for help if you need it
Don’t feel like you need to figure your application out alone. Information sessions are common, and some universities might even hold webinars. Dedicated scholarships teams within universities are often available and can help with any questions you might have.
When possible, reach out to the team who are managing the scholarship and ask how you might strengthen your application,” suggests Liam. “Universities are invested in finding the right candidates to fill these scholarships, they want to find people and they will support suitable applicants.
How an early childhood scholarship can benefit you
Gain financial relief
Money isn’t everything, but when financial relief is available it certainly helps. A scholarship can be the difference between pursuing your dreams or not. They can offer support for things like fees or living expenses, funds for materials you need, professional learning opportunities, and relieve some financial stress.
Open doors you didn’t think were available
As Liam says above, scholarships can open doors for people who may not have thought study was in the cards for them.
If you’re currently working in childcare but want to upskill to become a qualified early childhood teacher, a scholarship could make this possible. This could greatly improve your career opportunities and future in general. Find out what’s involved in becoming an early childhood teacher.
Grow your community and connections
While financial relief is a factor for many applicants, Liam explains the social cohort can be a big factor for success at university. You’ll be part of a community of likeminded students, many juggling similar challenges.
Encourage validation and confidence
Receiving a scholarship is a powerful reminder of your potential. Experts in early childhood education believe in you and your passion for a career shaping young minds. This vote of confidence can help sustain you through those tough moments of your degree.
Other financial support available
Scholarships aren’t your only option for financial support. You could also explore:
University hardship funds
Know you want to work in education but still unsure if early childhood is the right fit?
Explore how to become a primary school teacher and how to become a secondary school teacher, where we break down what’s involved and how to know if these age groups are a good fit for you.
Take the first step towards the career you deserve
Find a course that helps you build a future doing what you love.
FAQs about early childhood teaching scholarships
How competitive are early childhood education scholarships?
Competition varies, depending on the scholarship. Some are highly competitive, but don’t let that discourage you from applying. Certain scholarships prioritise specific groups, such as rural students, Indigenous students, or low SES students, and strong applications that meet the criteria while demonstrating commitment have a good chance of success.
The only way you’re guaranteed not to get into a scholarship is by not applying.
Are there scholarships specially for rural early childhood educators?
There are scholarships that give priority to students from rural, regional, and remote areas. Some state governments and universities also run programs to encourage early childhood educators in regional areas because of workforce shortages. Check with your chosen university to find out more.
Are there scholarships specially for those changing careers into early childhood education?
While most scholarships aren’t exclusively dedicated to career changers, many welcome them. In fact, Liam Stewart from Australian Catholic University says it’s their hope that scholarships at his university help open doors for people looking at a career change into teaching.
Can I work while receiving an early childhood scholarship?
Generally, yes, which is important since many early childhood students are already working in a childcare setting. However, some scholarship requirements, like the Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship, require you to be enrolled full-time in the course.
What happens if I withdraw from my course? Do I need to repay the scholarship?
This depends entirely on your scholarship and the terms and conditions when you sign up. Circumstances change, and the unexpected pops up, so it’s worth contacting your scholarship provider to discuss obligations and options, should you ever need to withdraw.
Can I receive a scholarship alongside government study loans (e.g. HECS-HELP)?
Scholarships and HECS-HELP/FEE-HELP serve different purposes, so they can be used together. While a scholarship might cover some of your fees or living expenses, HECS-HELP could cover the remaining fees. Find out more about financial assistance available through Open Universities Australia.
