Yes, ACCOs can be eligible to apply for the ECEC Worker Retention Payment grant.

The first eligibility conditions are: 

• the provider must be approved for the Child Care Subsidy, and  
• the provider must operate a Centre Based Day Care Centre or an Outside School Hours Care service. 

If an ACCO meets the above criteria, they are eligible.

There are three additional eligibility conditions that link to the conditions of the grant: 

1. the provider and their staff must be engaged through a workplace instrument that meets the grant conditions 
2. the provider limits fee growth (or is approved for an exemption to this limit) 
3. the provider agrees to pass on the grant payment received to their staff.

If you run an ACCO ECEC service and require support with any of the eligibility conditions above, please contact SNAICC.

• If you are linked to SNAICC’s EYS team, please contact your EYS Advisor.
• Otherwise, please contact SNAICC’s National Workforce Advisor at workforce@snaicc.org.au for support. 

The person lodging the application for the WRP Grant must be: 

• a person with management or control (PMC), AND 
• listed in PRODA (the Child Care Subsidy System) for the service.  

For example: the approved provider for the service OR the centre director whose name is listed on PRODA for the service can submit the application. 

If you would like support with your application or meeting the eligibility criteria, please contact SNAICC:

• If you are linked to SNAICC’s EYS team, please contact your EYS advisor.
• Otherwise, please contact SNAICC’s National Workforce Advisor at workforce@snaicc.org.au for support. 

Please click the link below to view a flowchart of the WRP Grant application process.

WRP Grant Application Process Flow Chart

If you would like support with your application or meeting the eligibility criteria, please contact SNAICC:

• If you are linked to SNAICC’s EYS team, please contact your EYS advisor.
• Otherwise, please contact SNAICC’s National Workforce Advisor at workforce@snaicc.org.au for support. 

Applications are open now. 

If you would like to be back-paid to 2 Dec 2024: Apply by 30 June 2025 and use a workplace instrument with a backpay clause specifying 2 Dec 2024. 

Applications remain open until 30 September 2026, though backpay will not be paid for those who apply after 30 June 2025. 

Payments under the ECEC Worker Retention Payment grant end on 30 November 2026.  

The Education Department is currently working through a large number of applications, causing delays. SNAICC recommends submitting your application as soon as possible, particularly if your service needs to apply for the Alternative Fee Growth Percentage Cap in addition to the WRP grant. 

If you would like support with your application or meeting the eligibility criteria, please contact SNAICC:

• If you are linked to SNAICC’s EYS team, please contact your EYS advisor.
• Otherwise, please contact SNAICC’s National Workforce Advisor at workforce@snaicc.org.au for support. 

SNAICC is available to assist ACCO ECEC services with understanding and applying for the WRP Grant.

Our support includes assistance to: 

• understand and implement a compliant workplace instrument  
• apply for the Alternative Fee Growth Percentage Cap (if needed) 
• apply for the Worker Retention Payment grant 
• obtain workplace relations or legal advice  
• apply for and meet the requirements of the Funding Review (if needed) 
• meet grant conditions for the duration of the payment.

If you would like support with your application or meeting the eligibility criteria, please contact SNAICC:

• If you are linked to SNAICC’s EYS team, please contact your EYS advisor.
• Otherwise, please contact SNAICC’s National Workforce Advisor at workforce@snaicc.org.au for support. 

Information about the WRP grant can also be found on the Australian Government Department of Education website. 

For some services, the standard payment calculated through the WRP may not be appropriate.

All ACCOs approved for the WRP grant will be eligible to apply for a review of their funding amount. If the funding review process finds under-compensation has occurred through the standard WRP calculation, eligible services will receive a top-up payment.  

Further information on the funding review is provided on the Australian Government Department of Education website. 

If you would like support with your application or meeting the eligibility criteria, please contact SNAICC:

• If you are linked to SNAICC’s EYS team, please contact your EYS advisor.
• Otherwise, please contact SNAICC’s National Workforce Advisor at workforce@snaicc.org.au for support.

Yes, some ACCOs have already submitted their applications for this grant with others applying soon.

ACCOs are welcoming the opportunity to provide a well-deserved pay rise to their hardworking staff: 

“Early childhood education and care is an unrecognised professional industry that educates and cares for our children in our community. Expectations of the industry standards are not commensurate with the industry award.” – CEO, WA ACCO ECEC service.

“We applied for the Worker Retention Payment Grant to ensure our dedicated educators are supported and motivated to continue their valuable work in fostering children’s growth and learning. This funding is crucial for maintaining a stable, skilled workforce, which is essential for providing consistent and high-quality care and education to the children in our service.” – CEO, Victoria ACCO ECEC service.

SNAICC is here to support ACCOs to be eligible for and to apply for this important grant opportunity. 

If you would like support with your application or meeting the eligibility criteria, please contact SNAICC:

• If you are linked to SNAICC’s EYS team, please contact your EYS advisor.
• Otherwise, please contact SNAICC’s National Workforce Advisor at workforce@snaicc.org.au for support.