2026 High Learning Support Needs Funding Program - Quarter 4 Priority Payments

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.

Priority Payments

A priority payment may be made outside of the regular quarterly payment schedule. A HLSN application can be considered for a priority payment where assessment determines that there is an urgent need to remove barriers for supervision to ensure a child’s access and participation within the preschool program. Factors may include:

• significant safety concerns for the child and/or other children, and/or staff at the community preschool
• the significant safety concerns box is selected in the child’s application in ECCMS
• the application is submitted within the first 4 weeks of the Quarter 2, 3 or 4 application periods.

Examples of safety concerns may include, but are not limited to:

• injuries to self and/or other children/staff
• absconding from environments and/or the community preschool premises
• aggressive actions such as hitting, kicking, biting, spitting, climbing or throwing furniture.

Subsequent payments following a priority payment will return to the normal quarterly payment schedule.

Priority payment is not available for children funded for HLSN in previous years at the community preschool.

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.