Kindergarten

Victoria's kindergarten programs give children from low-income families an opportunity to attend kindergarten for free or at a low cost.

This subsidy gives eligible children 15 hours a week at a funded kindergarten program for free or at low cost.

To be eligible, children must be aged at least four years by 30 April, or three years by 30 April if they are in a local government funded three-year-old kindergarten, and:

  • be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person or
  • hold, or have a parent or guardian who holds, an eligible concession card or humanitarian visa or
  • be identified on their birth certificate as being a multiple birth child (triplets or more).

For more information and to apply

  • If your family meets the kindergarten fee subsidy eligibility criteria, tell your education and care service that you are eligible when you enrol your child or at any time during the year.
  • For more information read the Kindergarten guide, which is available on Department of Education and Training website.

This grant gives eligible three-year-old children 15 hours a week at a funded kindergarten program free of charge or at minimal cost.

To be eligible, children must be three years old by 30 April in the year they start kindergarten and be:

  • from a refugee or asylum seeker background or
  • an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person or
  • from a family that has had contact with child protection.

Children who have used Early Start can get free or low cost four-year-old kindergarten as well.

For more information and to apply

  • Kindergarten fee subsidy

    This subsidy gives eligible children 15 hours a week at a funded kindergarten program for free or at low cost.

    To be eligible, children must be aged at least four years by 30 April, or three years by 30 April if they are in a local government funded three-year-old kindergarten, and:

    • be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person or
    • hold, or have a parent or guardian who holds, an eligible concession card or humanitarian visa or
    • be identified on their birth certificate as being a multiple birth child (triplets or more).

    For more information and to apply

    • If your family meets the kindergarten fee subsidy eligibility criteria, tell your education and care service that you are eligible when you enrol your child or at any time during the year.
    • For more information read the Kindergarten guide, which is available on Department of Education and Training website.
  • Early start kindergarten

    This grant gives eligible three-year-old children 15 hours a week at a funded kindergarten program free of charge or at minimal cost.

    To be eligible, children must be three years old by 30 April in the year they start kindergarten and be:

    • from a refugee or asylum seeker background or
    • an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person or
    • from a family that has had contact with child protection.

    Children who have used Early Start can get free or low cost four-year-old kindergarten as well.

    For more information and to apply