NSW children and families will benefit for generations to come, with the 2022-23 NSW Budget committing $15.9 billion to transforming early childhood education, child development and women’s economic participation over the next decade.
Nationals Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government’s visionary investment in the State’s youngest learners was sparking an early learning revolution, making New South Wales the best state to live, work and raise a family.
The 2022-23 NSW Budget includes a multi-million-dollar investment in early childhood education:
• $1.4 billion in recurrent expenses over four years to provide affordable preschool to all families in New South Wales
• $281.6 million in recurrent expenses over four years to increase the number, quality and retention of early childhood educators and teachers
• $111.2 million in recurrent expenses over four years for developmental checks in preschools in both metro and rural areas as part of the Brighter Beginnings initiative
• $24.7 million in recurrent expenses over four years to build system stewardship capability and offer more tailored support and guidance to early childhood education and care service providers
• $37.9 million over three years to improve access to before and after-school care services.
This year’s Budget also contains landmark longer-term commitments to early childhood education and care reform, including:
• Up to $5 billion over 10 years to establish an Affordable and Accessible Childcare and Economic Participation Fund
• $5.8 billion over 10 years to introduce a high-quality universal pre-Kindergarten year for all children in New South Wales in the year before school by 2030
• $53.4 million in recurrent expenses over three years for planning, consultation, and early steps in the implementation of universal pre-Kindergarten.
“Investing in early childhood is one of the most important things we can do to give children the best start, a smoother transition to school and open up a lifetime of opportunities,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We are leading the way in early childhood, securing a brighter future for all.”
NSW students will also benefit from a record $25.9 billion commitment in the 2022-23 NSW Budget, from their earliest years through primary and high school to vocational and tertiary education.
The NSW Government is supporting education at all stages, with an investment of more than $1.1 billion in early childhood education, $21.6 billion in schools and $3.1 billion in skills in 2022- 23.
Nationals Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the first 2,000 days of a child’s life were crucial to set them up for successful lifelong learning.
“I am so proud of our $5.8 billion commitment to a once-in-a-generation reform to deliver universal pre-Kindergarten by 2030, as well as our $5 billion fund to increase the accessibility and affordability of childcare across the State,” Ms Mitchell said.
“These long-term reforms start immediately, with our $281.6 million early childhood workforce package, our $1.4 billion Affordable Preschool program, and our $376.5 million cross-agency Brighter Beginnings initiative being delivered over the next four years.”
NSW public schools are educating more than 800,000 students each year with the help of more than 90,000 dedicated teaching staff, and the NSW Government is ensuring students have the environment and support to reach their full potential.
“The school infrastructure pipeline continues with an additional 23 new and upgraded schools to be delivered,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The NSW Government is ensuring a brighter future for families and students by building a stronger education system.”
The Budget will also deliver record funding for skills and training, to support a highly adaptable workforce that contributes to the prosperity and productivity of New South Wales.
A landmark $3.1 billion will be invested in skills and training, including a record $2.0 billion for TAFE NSW, Australia’s largest training provider.
