2026/27 ACCO-led ECEC Sector Growth Partnership Program

Important information  

The 2026/27 ACCO-led ECEC Sector Growth Partnership program aims to increase access to high-quality, culturally responsive early learning services by supporting eligible Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) delivering early learning services to grow and improve their service delivery.  

The programs principles have been developed in partnership with Aboriginal stakeholders, communities, and other partners. Projects funded through the program are expected to reflect local needs and be designed with community stakeholders. Prospective applicants are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the SmartyGrants platform. Each EOI will be reviewed to check for completeness and to check the applicant organisation meets the eligibility criteria, and that proposed activities are aligned to the program objectives, and activities eligible for funding. Successful EOIs will be invited to submit a Stage 2: Full Application. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified via e-mail.

Total funding for this program is limited, therefore a successful EOI does not automatically guarantee funding of project proposals. Should the total funding request of eligible applicants exceed the total available funds, priority will be given to Stream 1 applicants.

Stream 1 submissions will be ranked against the following criteria and matched to available funding. Priority will be given to funding projects under Stream 1 and prioritisation will be given in the order listed below.  

1. Project readiness – Demonstrated capacity to commence and deliver the project within the funding period.  

2. Underserved areas - Projects that address service gaps in communities with limited or no access to existing services. 

3. Regional and remote areas - Projects located in regional or remote communities, as classified by the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA).  

4. Geographic proximity to existing ACCOs – Consideration will be given to how close the proposed service is too other ACCOs, with preference given to projects that broaden geographic coverage of ACCO-led Early Learning services. 

Prior to completing the EOI form, applicants must ensure they have a clear understanding of requirements of a detailed funding proposal by reviewing the two-step application process outlined in the 2026/27 ACCO-led ECEC Sector Growth Partnership Program Guidelines. 

Applicants should familiarise themselves with the following documents: 

• 2026/27 ACCO-led ECEC Sector Growth Partnership Program Guidelines 

• Terms of Use 

• FAQs and Application Resources 

The submission of an EOI, will be taken as confirmation that the organisation accepts and agrees to the Terms of Use governing this funding program. 

If you need help with access to the SmartyGrants application portal, please call the SmartyGrants help team at (03) 9320 6888 between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday. 

Please direct all questions about the 2026/27 ACCO-led ECEC Sector Growth Partnership program to our email accoececgrowth@det.nsw.edu.au. 

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NSW Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund Board (Board) and NSW Department of Education (Department) are committed to protecting the privacy of personal information in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act) and the Privacy Act 1988.     

What personal information is collected?

The Authorised Officer’s personal information may be collected including name and contact details.     

Why is the personal information collected and how is it used?

The Board collects and uses personal information to administer the Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund Act 2022, including the 2026/27 ACCO-led Early Learning Sector Growth Partnership Program. Personal information may be used for application assessment, registration and referral for support services, funding administration, program monitoring and evaluation.

The Board and the Department may also use information collected through the Program to:

• administer, monitor and evaluate the Program
• undertake audit, assurance, research and reporting activities
• inform future policy and program development
• perform other functions authorised or required by law.

Where information is used for research, reporting or publication, it will generally be de-identified unless otherwise authorised or required by law, or with your consent. Information that includes Aboriginal cultural knowledge, stories, language, images or other cultural information will be managed respectfully, having regard to Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDS) and Indigenous Data Governance (IDG) principles.

When is the information disclosed?  

The Department and the Board will disclose personal information to contracted Third Parties as set out above, but not to any other person unless authorised by any law or Act, or with further consent. From time to time, the Board and the Department may release publications based on information it has collected, but any personal information will be de-identified.   

About the collected personnel person information?

Any collected personal information will be held and managed by the Department in accordance with the PPIP Act and Privacy Act, and subject to the Department's privacy policy: education.nsw.gov.au/rights-and-accountability/privacy.   

More information, including the Department's Privacy Management Plan, can be found on the department's privacy webpage: education.nsw.gov.au/rights-and-accountability/privacy/privacy-information-and-forms.   

 Under the PPIP Act, you have a right of access, correction and amendment of your personal information. To access or amend the personal information please contact the Department via the Privacy webpage above or the contact details below.   

For information on funded programs available through the Department, please speak to the Service or the Provider and/or visit: education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/operating-an-early-childhood-education-service/grants-and-funded-programs.   

 If you have a concern or complaint about the way the personal information has been collected, used or disclosed, you should contact the department via the Privacy webpage above, or alternatively:   

Legal Services - Privacy   

NSW Department of Education GPO Box 33   

Sydney NSW 2001   

Email: legal.privacy@det.nsw.edu.au  

Privacy Policy

This information is supplied voluntarily, but failure to provide the information may impact the Board's ability to assess the application for Program funding and the continuation of funding to successful applicants. ceofund@det.nsw.edu.au  

Once personal information has been provided, you may also withdraw your consent at any time, and no further personal information will be collected or used.    

For all program related inquires please contact us at accoececgrowth@det.nsw.edu.au.