GO8324: Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority

The Australian Government is inviting an organisation via a restricted process apply to deliver services under the Education Portfolio Outcome 1: Improved early learning, schooling, student educational outcomes and transitions to and from school through access to quality early childhood education and care, support, parent engagement, quality teaching and learning environments.

The grant opportunity for ACECQA (the program) will run over three years from 2026 to 2029, from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029.

The ACECQA was established by the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (National Law).

Its role is to support the nationally consistent regulation of quality and safety in early childhood education and care services across Australia.

Ongoing funding for ACECQA was initially announced as part of the 2019–20 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook and has been continued through subsequent budget processes, including the 2025–26 Budget.

The purpose and objective of this program is to support the ACECQA to carry out its legislative functions and operations under the National Law and deliver on expectations set by Education Ministers across all jurisdictions.

The intended outcomes of the program are to support the nationally consistent regulation of quality and safety in early childhood education and care services across Australia and drive continuous improvement in the early childhood education and care sector.

To be eligible you must be the invited organisation listed (Australian Childrens Education and Care Quality Authority) and have received an invitation to apply through GrantConnect.

Eligibility is limited to the invited organisation determined by establishment of a National Authority under the National Law.

No further organisations will be invited.

Applicants must comply with requirements under the National Law and relevant legislation; no additional specific qualifications are prescribed beyond those already required of ACECQA under the National Law.

Applicants must not appear on specified exclusion lists (see exclusions).