Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: This is a 4 year funded program
- Application opened: 9 December 2025
- Application closed: 13 February 2026
Program objective
The program has six core objectives:
1. Support Aboriginal families to strengthen and grow developmentally supportive home learning environments.
Provide culturally appropriate resources and learning intentions for the children and families each session. This approach recognises families as a child’s first and most important teachers, and aims to strengthen confidence, connection, and continuity between home and early learning settings.
2. Promote literacy and numeracy practices.
Deliver culturally responsive literacy and numeracy learning activities and resources to all engaged families, with the goal of increasing home-based literacy and numeracy practices, measured through parent feedback and participation data.
3. Support families’ knowledge and understanding of their children’s learning and healthy development.
Deliver programs that introduce and builds on family knowledge of child development milestones and strengthens early learning strategies to support growth.
4. Support successful transitions for Aboriginal children and families.
Work with children, families, schools, and early childhood services to co-design culturally safe transition plans, aiming for increased enrolment and positive transition experiences to available ECEC services or school.
5. Promote the value of early childhood education and increase participation in quality ECEC programs.
Engage families and communities through culturally led outreach to boost enrolment in early childhood education and care, with a target of 600 hours participation in the year before school.
6. Improve developmental outcomes across all five Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) domains
Establish partnerships with health services to support access to regular health and developmental checks Use these results, together with strength-based assessments and family-supported learning plans, to monitor children’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development in line with AEDC indicators. Acknowledge and uphold Aboriginal data sovereignty in the collection, storage, and use of information.
This program is administered by Department of Education.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Applications for AFaT must be from:
- Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCO) providing ECEC services or
- an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisation (e.g., Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) registration, Supply Nation or Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, documentation showing 51% Aboriginal ownership, or any other relevant documentation) providing ECEC services
- A not-for-profit service located in an eligible location (see list below).
and
- have proposed program activities developed by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) and implemented by a certificate III, diploma qualified early childhood educator, ECT or another person with a relevant tertiary qualification
Eligible SA3 Locations
- Port Stephens
- Lake Macquarie East
- Lake Macquarie West
- Newcastle
- Lower Murray
- Broken Hill and Far West
- Bourke - Cobar - Coonamble
- South Coast
- Shoalhaven
- Kiama-Shellharbour
- Lachlan Valley
- Dubbo
- Orange
- Bathurst
- Tweed Valley
- Richmond Valley Hinterland
- Inverell Tenterfield
*Locations are based on the ABS Maps (Australian Bureau of Statistics) SA3 locations that the ECEC service is located in. Check against the SA3 maps in the ABS Maps | Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Who the grant is targeted towards
- Children 0-5
- Parents
- Carers
- Community
Types of projects funded under this grant
Successful applicants must only use funding for the development and delivery of the Aboriginal Families as Teachers program, as outlined in their approved application, in line with program guidelines and the Terms and Conditions of the Aboriginal Families as Teachers Program.
- Funding cannot be used to replace any existing funding sources.
- AFaT funding must only be used for activities that are directly attributable to the core delivery of the AFaT program (literacy, numeracy, and transition to school in a culturally safe way).
- Funded staff positions must have clearly defined AFaT duties, with the proportion of time spent on AFaT activities separately identified and documented.
- AFaT funding cannot be combined with other grant or program funds to deliver the same activity. Each funded activity must be unique to AFaT.
- Activities need to commence during the calendar year of the successful grant contract.
- The program must be named and identified as Aboriginal Families as Teachers.
- Playgroups, in home learning support and transition programs
When the project can start and end
The project should be started by 1 January 2026 and the project must be completed by 31 December 2029.
What costs you can apply for
Funding Components include
Staff costs
Each organisation must employ at least two staff members. At least one position must be Aboriginal identified. It is preferred that both positions are Aboriginal identified.
Staff costs are based on qualifications, related rates of pay, and hours of program preparation and delivery including for:
- Lesson planning and resource development
- Playgroups, Transition programs and in home learning
- Child assessment and progress documentation
Program Running Costs
- Operational expenses required to run the program, including:
- Materials and resources
- Venue hire
- Transport
- Food for playgroups/workshops
- Other reasonable program delivery costs
Community engagement costs
Supporting allied services to engage with community and families to address
- Health service engagement
- Family engagement sessions
- Aboriginal community liaison
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
When submitting your application, please ensure you attach or include the following information and documents:
Service Eligibility Information – Evidence that your organisation meets all eligibility criteria.
Detailed Program Description – Outline how the proposed program aligns with AFaT objectives, including:
Delivery model and method
Inclusive practices
Delivery locations and relevant approvals
Evidence of staff qualifications
Future planning details
Program Requirements Statement – Explanation of how the proposed program meets AFaT program requirements.
Delivery Site Details – Information on all delivery locations and agreements in place for their use.
Collaboration Evidence – Documentation showing collaboration with ECEC services and how the program will increase participation.
Participant Estimates –
Estimated number of child participants (to inform funding allocation)
Estimated number of parent participants
Community Demand Evidence – Data or evidence demonstrating the need for the program, including the number of Aboriginal children aged 0–5 not currently participating in similar programs.
Letter of Endorsement – A letter of support or approval from the local Aboriginal community.
Governance and Financial Management Evidence – Documentation demonstrating sound governance mechanisms and financial capability.
Qualified Staff Evidence – Proof of involvement of qualified ECEC staff in program design and planning.
Organisational Status Documents – Any additional documents required to verify your organisation’s eligibility (e.g. ORIC registration, 51% Aboriginal ownership evidence, or not-for-profit status).
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Start the application
How to Apply
Step 1 – Read the Guidelines: Review this document to understand program objectives, eligibility, and funding priorities.
Step 2 – Prepare Documents: Confirm eligibility and gather required supporting information.
Step 3 – Register on SmartyGrants: Create a free account if you do not already have one.
Step 4 – Complete the Application: Submit the online form with required attachments, including:
Evidence of eligibility and organisational capacity
Program description, delivery model, and staffing details
Delivery sites and collaboration evidence
Estimated child and parent participation numbers
Community demand evidence
Local Aboriginal community endorsement
Governance, financial management, and qualified staff documentation
Step 5 – Review and Submit:
Ensure all sections are complete and accurate before submission.
False or misleading information may result in disqualification.
You will receive confirmation once submitted. The department may request clarification if required. Late applications will not be accepted unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: The Director, Early Childhood Education Programs or their delegate.
Assessment of Grant Applications
Stage 1: Eligibility and Completeness Check An assessment panel appointed by the Department will first review all applications to confirm eligibility and ensure all required information is provided. This is a preliminary screening step. Minor omissions may be clarified with applicants. Applications that do not meet eligibility criteria will not progress.
Stage 2: Assessment Against Criteria Eligible applications are then assessed on organisational capacity and program design against set criteria. This involves:
Organisational Assessment: Experience with Aboriginal families, links with ECEC providers and Aboriginal organisations, quality ratings, regulatory compliance, and previous performance.
Program Assessment: Alignment with AFaT objectives, capacity to deliver outcomes, and culturally responsive approaches.
Applications are scored to ensure alignment with program goals and value for money.
Stage 3: Due Diligence Checks Shortlisted applicants undergo due diligence to confirm the accuracy of information and identify financial, governance, compliance, or reputational risks. Checks may include legal and financial status, compliance history, previous performance, and any potential conflicts of interest. Findings inform funding recommendations and may lead to conditions or withdrawal of funding.
Stage 4: Final Ranking and Recommendations The panel consolidates results from all stages to rank applications and develop funding recommendations. Considerations include assessment scores, capability, risk, geographic spread, and strategic priorities. Final recommendations are submitted for approval, and all applicants are notified of the outcome. Feedback may be provided on request.
Assessment Panel and Principles
The panel comprises:
A Convenor from the Aboriginal Early Childhood Outcomes team
At least two departmental staff
One external NSW Government representative
A probity advisor
Panel members receive probity briefings, sign confidentiality and conflict of interest declarations, and are trained in the process.
Assessment is guided by the principles of being:
Merit-based: Consistent, objective assessment against criteria
Fair and impartial: Conflicts managed
Transparent and auditable: Documented decisions
Risk-managed: Delivery and financial risks considered
Confidential: Applicant information protected
Notification of Outcomes
Applicants will be notified of the outcome by mid-December 2025. Successful applicants will receive funding details and next steps, including signing a Funding Agreement. Conditions may apply. Unsuccessful applicants will be advised of reasons, where possible.
Appeals: Applicants may request a review by submitting a written appeal outlining why they believe the decision was incorrect. Appeals will be considered by the Director, Early Childhood Education Programs (or delegate). A successful appeal does not guarantee funding.
Publication of Grant Information
Grant details, including provider name, program information, delivery area, and language delivered, will be published on the NSW Government Grants and Funding Finder, departmental reports, and potentially in media communications.
Support and contact
For more information about the Aboriginal Families as Teachers program, please contact the Aboriginal Services team at the department's Aboriginal Early Childhood Outcomes Directorate: