RFPs: 2026 Inclusive Environments Funding Program (Australia)

Deadline: 16-Oct-2026

The Inclusive Environments Funding Program supports eligible community preschools in New South Wales with funding for minor construction and specialised equipment or furniture that improves access and participation for children with disability and additional needs. Eligible services can receive up to $20,000 per child per year for minor construction and generally up to $5,000 per child per year for specialised equipment or furniture, with exceptional funding of up to $20,000 available for highly specialised essential equipment.

About the Inclusive Environments Funding Program

The Inclusive Environments Funding Program provides financial assistance to eligible NSW community preschools to make physical and educational environments more accessible for children with disability and additional needs. The funding is designed to help preschools make practical adjustments that support children’s participation, learning, development, and inclusion. The program focuses on equitable early childhood education outcomes and aims to support children both during their preschool attendance and as they transition to school. What Does the Program Fund? Funding is available for two main types of adjustments: Minor construction Specialised equipment or furniture The proposed adjustment must address an identified need for a child with constant and ongoing support requirements who is currently attending the preschool. Applications may also cover more than one child where the proposed adjustment relates to multiple enrolled children. Why It Matters Children with disability and additional needs may require physical, environmental, or specialised equipment adjustments to participate fully in preschool activities. The program helps community preschools address these barriers by funding essential modifications and resources.

The broader objectives include:

Improving accessibility in preschool environments. Supporting children’s participation in learning activities. Promoting inclusive early childhood education. Supporting children’s developmental outcomes. Helping children prepare for the transition from preschool to school. Complementing functional supports available through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in NSW. The program is intended to complement, rather than replace, functional support provided through the NDIS. Funding Amount The amount available depends on the type of adjustment being requested. Minor Construction Funding

Eligible preschools can request up to:

$20,000 excluding GST per child per year This funding can support eligible minor construction required to improve the preschool environment for a child with disability or additional needs. Where an application covers more than one child, the funding assessment is based on the relevant children and the proposed adjustment. Specialised Equipment or Furniture Funding

Funding of up to:

$5,000 excluding GST per child per year is available for specialised equipment or furniture. The equipment or furniture must be necessary to support the child’s participation and respond to their identified needs. Exceptional Funding for Highly Specialised Equipment In exceptional circumstances, funding above $5,000 may be considered for highly specialised, individualised, and essential equipment. The maximum available under this exceptional provision is: $20,000 excluding GST per child per year The higher amount is intended for children with significant and complex needs where the specialised equipment is essential. Who Is Eligible? Eligible applicants are community preschools in New South Wales that already receive funding through either: Start Strong for Community Preschools, or Mobile Preschool Funding Program. The funding is child-based and is intended for individual children with constant and ongoing support needs who are currently attending the preschool service. Applications can include more than one child where the requested environmental adjustment or equipment relates to multiple children. Are Children Required to Be Australian Citizens? No specific citizenship or residency requirement is applied to the child when determining eligibility for this funding. The department does not consider the child’s citizenship or residency status when assessing whether the child is eligible for child-based funding. The focus is instead on the child’s disability, additional needs, learning and developmental requirements, and the need for the proposed adjustment. What Can the Funding Support? The program can support essential environmental adjustments and specialised resources that enable children with disability or additional needs to participate in preschool.

Potential requests may include:

Eligible minor construction. Specialised equipment. Specialised furniture. Individualised equipment for children with complex needs. Environmental adjustments directly related to the child’s identified needs. The proposed expenditure must be directly connected to the child’s support requirements and learning or developmental outcomes. Important Funding Restrictions Funding is subject to several restrictions. The program will not provide funding more than once for the same: Equipment. Furniture. Minor construction project. Applicants should therefore carefully assess their long-term requirements before submitting a request. The proposed adjustment should be necessary, appropriately justified, and supported by relevant evidence. How the Funding Supports Inclusive Education The program takes an inclusion-focused approach to early childhood education. Achieve goals identified in their Individual Learning Plan. Prepare for the transition to school. The connection between the proposed adjustment and the child’s learning and developmental outcomes should be clearly demonstrated in the application. What Evidence Is Required? Applications must provide sufficient information to demonstrate why the requested funding is necessary.

Applicants should include:

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