The New South Wales (NSW) Government has announced fee relief options for families seeking early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in 2025. Eligible ECEC services will implement weekly fee reductions, allowing families to benefit from these savings.
In addition, the Minns Government is allocating an extra $40 million in 2025 aimed at enhancing the quality of long day services offering preschool programs for three-year-olds.
This funding can be utilized by ECEC services to cover salaries for early childhood teachers and educators, purchase educational materials, and develop quality education programs.
Starting January 1, 2025, NSW families can access the following fee relief:
- Up to $4,347 annually for children aged three to five attending eligible community and mobile preschools.
- Up to $2,174 annually for children aged four years and above attending eligible preschool programs in long day care (LDC) services, which can be received in addition to the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy.
- Up to $515 annually for three-year-olds in eligible preschool programs within LDC services, also on top of the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy.
Recent statistics reveal that, throughout 2024, fee relief was provided to the parents and carers of approximately 200,000 children in early childhood education and care settings. Notable insights include:
- This investment benefited families of around 200,000 children last year, as they received subsidies to help offset education and care expenses.
- Over 64,000 families with three-year-old children in LDC were eligible for fee relief for the first time in 2024, following the introduction of a new initiative by the Minns Labor Government.
- In 2025, at least 200,000 children’s families are expected to qualify for fee relief.
Research indicates that children who participate in quality early childhood education and care for at least two days a week, or 600 hours annually in the two years leading up to school, experience lifelong benefits.
These education experiences support their social, emotional, and cognitive development, with positive effects evident throughout their educational journey and into later life.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car, emphasized the importance of accessible and affordable early childhood education for all children in NSW, regardless of their background or location.
She stated, “That is why we are making a record investment in fee relief—so that more families can access quality preschool and long day care, where children can develop essential language and social skills before starting school.”
In summary, the initiative aims to support families and make preschool more affordable, facilitating parental return to work and providing significant assistance to hardworking households. For more information on Start Strong fee relief, visit the Department of Education website.