Disability and Inclusion Program

The Disability and Inclusion Program (DIP) provides funding and support to enable children with disability and additional needs in community preschools (including mobile preschools) to participate in a quality early childhood education program on the same basis as their peers.

In addition to the Sector Capacity Building Program, there are two other components of the Disability and Inclusion Program in place until the end of 2026:

High Learning Support Needs funding (HLSN)

Funding for children with high learning support needs is provided to develop and deliver a child’s Individual Learning Plan (ILP). The aim of the ILP is to support a child’s specific learning requirements to enable them to participate in the educational program on the same basis as their peers. For professional learning about developing ILPs you can access our webinar recording here. You can also download a template to help you develop and implement high quality ILPs that link to the EYLF outcomes.

Inclusive Environments Funding (IE)

Funding is available for modifications to the physical environment or the purchase of specialised equipment/furniture that is essential to enable children all participate in the educational program on the same basis as their peers.

Funding changes for 2027:

New guidelines were released by the NSW Department of Education in October 2026, outlining the changes to HLSN and IE funding which will take effect in 2027.

Inclusion Funding Program

High Learning Support Needs funding (HLSN) will be replaced by the Inclusion Funding Program and applications for quarter 1 of the 2027 year will open on the 2nd of November and close on the 4th of December 2026. Please see the 2027 Inclusion Funding Program Guidelines.

Specialised Equipment Funding Program

Inclusive Environments funding (IE) will be replaced by the Specialised Equipment Funding Program and applications for quarter 1 of the 2027 year will open on the 2nd of November and close on the 4th of December 2026. Please see the 2027 Specialised Equipment Funding Program Guidelines.

The link below will take you to the Program details still in effect until the end of 2026.