Expanding access to early education in the Northern Territory

Expanding access to early education in the Northern Territory Scott Kimber Mon, 14/09/2026 - 09:36 The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have reached an agreement for $8.7 million in funding to deliver a new early childhood education and care service in Darwin. This is part of the Albanese Labor Government’s $1 billion Building Early Education Fund delivering vital capital investment to build and expand early learning services in communities where they are needed most. This is the eighth and final Federation Funding Agreement signed with the States and Territories for the Building Early Education Fund, completing the initial State and Territory stage. Outcomes of funding rounds for small and large providers will follow soon. Through this partnership with the Northern Territory Government, a new 60-place early childhood education and care service will be established at Manunda Terrace Primary School in Karama in Darwin’s northern suburbs, creating greater access to high-quality early learning for local families. The agreement includes a preference for an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation to operate the service. This agreement marks an important milestone in de