1. Early Childhood Worker Retention Payment

Submissions are now being accepted. Submissions close at 5:00PM 30 September 2026 (AEST).

IMPORTANT: Please read information below to assist you in completing your application online.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Welcome to the ECEC Worker Retention Payment online grant application service, powered by SmartyGrants.

You may begin anywhere in this application form. Please ensure you save as you go.

For queries about the guidelines, deadlines, or questions in the form, please contact us on 1300 667 276 during business hours or email ccshelpdesk@education.gov.au and quote your submission number.

Click here (GrantConnect) to view the guidelines.

If you need more help using this form, download the SmartyGrants Help Guide for Applicants or check out SmartyGrants Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

NAVIGATING (MOVING THROUGH) THE APPLICATION FORM

On every screen (page of the form) you will find a Form Navigation contents box, this links directly to every page of the application. Click the link to jump directly to the page you want.

You can also click 'next page' or 'previous page' on the top or bottom of each page to move forward or backward through the application.

SAVING YOUR DRAFT APPLICATION

To save your partially completed application, press the Save and Close button.

To resume, log in and click the My Submissions navigation link at the top of the screen, in the menu header.

You can download your application, whether it’s in draft or completed form, as a PDF. Simply click the Download PDF button located at the bottom of the last page of the application can also download your application, whether draft or completed, as a PDF. Click on the 'Download PDF' button at the bottom of the last page of the application form.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

A Review and Submit button is at the end of the form. You must review your application before you can submit it.

When you submit your application, you will get a confirmation email with a copy of your application. This will be sent to the email you used to register.

You cannot submit your application until:

  • all the compulsory questions are completed; and
  • there are no validation errors.

You cannot edit your application once it’s submitted. If you need to make changes to your application, please send us an email ccshelpdesk@education.gov.au.

You will need to provide your application number for this Alternative Fee Growth Percentage Cap application form, which is different to your ECEC Worker Retention Payment Grant Application Form application number. 

When you submit, you will get a confirmation email with a copy of your application. This will be sent to the email you used to register.

If you do not receive a confirmation of submission email you should presume your submission has NOT been submitted.

Check the email hasn't landed in your spam or junk email folder.

ATTACHMENTS AND SUPPORT DOCUMENTS

You will need to upload attachments to support your application. To do so, your documents must be saved on your computer or a storage device.

Allow enough time for each file to upload before attaching another file.

While attachments can be up to 25MB each, it’s best to keep them to 5MB each.

Accepted file types: .bmp, .doc, .docx, .gif, .jpeg, .jpg, .msg, .pdf, .png, .pps, .ppt, .pptx, .txt, .xls, .xlsb, .xlsx.

COMPLETING AN APPLICATION IN A GROUP/TEAM

Multiple people can collaborate on an application using the same login details, but please ensure that only one person is editing the form at any given time. Make sure the application is completed and submitted by the authorised representative or officer, and officer and remember to save your progress as you go.

SPELL CHECK

Most internet browsers (including Firefox v2.0 and above; Safari; and Google Chrome) have spell checking facilities built in – you can switch this function on or off by adjusting your browser settings.