Funding for children with high learning support needs enrolled in NSW Community Preschools is provided to develop and deliver each child’s Individual Learning Plan (ILP).
Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Up to $16,542
- Application opened: 6 December 2025
- Application closes: 6 March 2026, 5:00 pm
Program objective
High Learning Support Needs (HLSN) is a component of the Disability and Inclusion Program for NSW Community Preschools.
The program aims to:
- increase the capacity of the early childhood education sector to include children with disability and additional needs on the same basis as their peers
- support equitable education outcomes for children with disability and additional needs during their attendance at preschool and as they transition to school
- align with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in NSW (the NDIS provides functional support, and this program provides educational support)
- target funding and support to children who have high learning support needs.
- support quality uplift and ensure children have access to high quality early childhood education programs that drive improved outcomes.
This program is funded and administered by Department of Education.
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for HLSN funding may be categorised into two components: service eligibility criteria, and child eligibility criteria. Both must be satisfied in all cases, to be eligible for funding. The department reserves the right to pause or cease funding to any service if the eligibility criteria are no longer met.
Service eligibility criteria
HLSN funding is only available for not-for-profit community preschools who are receiving funding under the NSW Start Strong for Community Preschools or the Mobile Preschool Funding Program.
The department will not provide HLSN funding for places/hours in a service that are Child Care Subsidy approved. Inclusion funding and support for children in places/hours that are Child Care Subsidy approved may be available from the Australian Government’s Inclusion Support Program.
Child eligibility criteria
- In addition, to be eligible for the community preschool to obtain HLSN funding to support the inclusion of individual children, a child must: either:
- be at least 3 years old on or before 31 July in that preschool year and not in compulsory schooling, including homeschooling (see the NSW Education Enrolment Policy for further information about school enrolment); or
- turn 3 years old after 31 July in that preschool year and demonstrate exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances are like or related to the following circumstances: any child or family that experiences out-of-home or alternative care arrangements, isolation, violence, trauma, mental health issues, environmental disasters or other crises; and
- have high learning support needs as defined in these guidelines, namely, the child must:
- have constant and ongoing support needs and require significant adjustments, or a temporary illness or injury that requires short term adjustment, to enable participation in the educational program on the same basis as their peers; and
- require an ILP that identifies individual goals and the specific teaching strategies and adjustments required to enable participation in the education program on the same basis as their peers; and
- require consistent support and guidance to engage at the same level as their peers.
The department does not take citizenship and residency status into consideration to determine eligibility of children for funding under the HLSN funding program.
Funding
Community preschools can apply for funding for a child with high learning support needs up to a total of $16,542 (ex GST) per child per year. This funding is provided at a rate of $27.57 (ex GST) per hour for the equivalent of up to 600 hours of support per child per year. Funding may be granted on an annual or quarterly basis.
What your application needs to include
For full application details, download the 2026 High Learning Support Needs Funding Program Guidelines.
All applications will be considered by the department assessing against the above eligibility criteria, on a case-by-case basis.
HLSN applications require:
- one at least of a written diagnosis, NDIS plan or community preschool observations; and
- details of how the child functions in the community preschool environment that consider the child’s strengths and needs in relation to the developmental domains; and
- details of current and proposed adjustments that enable the child to participate in the educational program on the same basis as their peers. This may include adult guidance, teaching strategies, or environmental modifications; and
- notification of the number of weeks the child is enrolled at the community preschool, excluding the weeks the preschool is closed for school holidays.
Start the application
Applications can be made in the Early Childhood Contract Management System (ECCMS).
After the application is submitted
The applications will be assessed and both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified.
The Department will individually assess all applications against the eligibility criteria and assessment requirements outlined in the 2026 HLSN Funding Program Guidelines.
If there is any missing or unclear information, community preschools may be contacted with the opportunity to provide additional information. This will be done on a case-by-case basis.
Providers will be notified of assessment outcomes for each application, and their funding allocation via email. When an application has been assessed as ineligible, the individual spreadsheet provided to each provider at the time of notification will indicate the relevant section of the guidelines for reference as the reason for ineligibility.
Support and contact
For questions, feedback or complaints about the Disability and Inclusion Program, please contact the department by:
- calling 1800 619 113
- emailing ecec.funding@det.nsw.edu.au.