More funding to support early learning where it's needed

The Albanese Labor Government is investing $106.9 million to support 386 early childhood education and care services across Australia. Around 66 per cent of the services receiving funding are in regional, rural and remote Australia, recognising that access to quality early learning often requires different solutions in different communities. Through Round 5 of the Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) Sustainability and Capital Support program, grants will be provided over three years from 2026–27 to 2028–29.

As announced in October 2025, the Government extended the grants from two years to three, giving providers greater certainty to plan for the future. Together with the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund, these grants are helping build an early learning system that responds to the different needs of communities across Australia. For more information visit Sustainability and capital support grant - Department of Education, Australian Government Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education Jess Walsh: “Communities across Australia don’t all look the same, and neither should the early learning services that support them.

“Around two thirds of the services receiving these grants are in regional, rural and remote Australia, reflecting our commitment to supporting children and families wherever they live. “We want more children in more places to have the benefits of quality early learning.”