Tuesday 11th November 2026
New analysis released today shows that NSW has the lowest per child state funding for preschool children of any state, and higher out-of-pocket costs for long day care preschool programs than almost every state, including Victoria and Queensland.
This is set to get even worse as the Minns Government prepares to slash $150 million for preschool programs in Long Day Care from 1st January 2027.
The cut will likely mean higher fees for parents, as not-for-profit providers may have no choice but to increase their fees to remain sustainable.
This appalling decision from the NSW Government comes as NSW productivity slides and families are already stretched to their limit from the cost-of-living crisis.
The figures released today by six not-for-profit early learning providers reveal:
● NSW is the worst-funded state in the country
● NSW has some of the highest out-of-pocket costs for preschool in long day care, behind only Western Australia and the ACT.
The six key not-for-profit early learning providers have united today to launch a campaign calling on the Premier to stop the cuts to preschool programs in Long Day Care.
Families are already stretched to their limit, enduring an extended cost-of-living crisis that has no end in sight. These cuts will put families under even more pressure.
And with two thirds of families in NSW relying on Long Day Care for preschool for their children, this will have a significant impact.
Every child, no matter which state they live in or in which setting they access preschool, deserves access to high quality early education and care.
Why does Premier Minns think preschool children in NSW are less worthy of quality preschool than children in other states?
The Premier must stop the cuts to funding for preschools in Long Day Care in NSW, so that every family can access high quality preschool.
State Government preschool spend per child
| State | Investment |
| NSW | $3,806 |
| VIC | $10,900 |
| QLD | $4,174 |
| WA | $6,199 |
| SA | $6,837 |
| TAS | $3,899 |
| ACT | $5,321 |
| NT | $6,175 |
Media contact: Kayla Foster 0447 040 029 kayla.foster@essentialmedia.com.au