Victoria’s Free Kinder and Government-Funded Kindergarten Program
The Victorian Government’s Free Kinder initiative helps families access two years of quality kindergarten before their child begins school. Free Kinder is available for children enrolled in funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten programs, including eligible Pre-Prep programs, at participating services across Victoria.
Funded kindergarten programs can be delivered at standalone kindergartens or as part of a long day care service. Each program is led by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher and follows Victorian Government guidelines.
Families can look for the Kinder Tick to identify kindergarten programs that are funded and approved by the Victorian Government. The Kinder Tick is separate from Free Kinder, so families should also confirm that their chosen service participates in the Free Kinder initiative.
For the most current information, families can refer to the Victorian Government’s Free Kinder information.
What is the Free Kinder funding in Victoria?
Free Kinder in Victoria helps families access up to 15 hours of funded kindergarten each week through the Victorian Government at participating services.
At long day care services, this support is applied as an annual fee offset to help reduce out-of-pocket kindergarten costs. In 2026, families may receive up to $2,101 for a 15-hour Three-Year-Old or Four-Year-Old Kindergarten program, with higher offsets available for eligible Pre-Prep programs depending on the number of funded hours.
How does Free Kinder work at long day care services?
Families with children enrolled in a funded kindergarten program at a participating long day care service receive an annual fee offset.
In 2026, the Free Kinder fee offsets available at participating long day care services include:
- Between $700.33 for a five-hour Three-Year-Old Kindergarten program and $2,101 for a 15-hour program
- $2,101 for a 15-hour Four-Year-Old Kindergarten program
- Between $2,241 for a 16-hour Pre-Prep program and $4,202 for a 30-hour Pre-Prep program
Pre-Prep is being introduced progressively across Victoria, with Four-Year-Old Kindergarten funded hours gradually increasing from 15 to 30 hours per week. The hours available will depend on the child’s eligibility, the service they attend and the area where they live.
The funding is paid directly to the participating kindergarten service. Families do not need to pay the full amount and then claim the savings back from the Victorian Government.
At long day care services, the fee offset is generally applied regularly throughout the year, such as weekly or fortnightly. The amount should be clearly shown on the family’s invoice as the “Victorian Government Free Kinder offset”.
If a family is eligible for the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy, CCS is applied first. The Free Kinder offset is then applied to the remaining out-of-pocket childcare fees. Free Kinder does not reduce a family’s CCS entitlement.
Families can view the current amounts through the Victorian Government’s kindergarten funding rates.
Eligibility
Free Kinder is available to families with children enrolled in a funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, Four-Year-Old Kindergarten or eligible Pre-Prep program at a participating service.
Free Kinder is available to everyone. Families do not need to:
- Hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card
- Be Australian citizens
- Provide proof of their residential address
- Be eligible for the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy
A child can only receive Free Kinder through one kindergarten service at a time. If a child attends kindergarten programs at more than one service, their family will need to nominate which service will receive Free Kinder funding on their behalf.
Children in Victoria generally begin Three-Year-Old Kindergarten at three years of age, giving them access to two years of kindergarten before school. Families with children born between January and April may be able to choose whether their child begins Three-Year-Old Kindergarten in the year they turn three or the following year.
Families can check their child’s eligible starting year through the Victorian Government’s kindergarten starting age information.
How to access Free Kinder
Families do not need to submit a separate Free Kinder application directly to the Victorian Government.
The participating kindergarten or long day care service will ask the family to confirm in writing which service their child will access Free Kinder through. This ensures that the funding is only applied at one service.
The childcare centre will provide the required information and explain how the Free Kinder fee offset will be applied to the family’s account.
Families should tell their centre if their child is also enrolled in a kindergarten program at another service. Free Kinder and funded kindergarten support can only be received through one service at a time.
Families who are eligible for the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy can receive both CCS and the Free Kinder offset. More information is available through Services Australia’s Child Care Subsidy information page.
Benefits of attending Montessori Academy’s Kindergarten Program
Participation in two years of quality kindergarten supports children’s learning, development, health and wellbeing. Kindergarten helps children strengthen their confidence, independence, communication and social skills while building important foundations for the transition to primary school.
At Montessori Academy, our Victorian Government-approved Kindergarten Program is integrated into the Montessori Cycle 1 environment for children aged three to six.
Qualified Early Childhood Teachers work alongside experienced Montessori educators to deliver a structured and intentional program that responds to each child’s interests, abilities and stage of development.
Children engage in hands-on Montessori learning experiences across Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language and Culture. These curriculum areas support the development of independence, concentration, coordination, confidence and problem-solving skills.
The mixed-age Cycle 1 environment allows younger children to learn through observing and interacting with older peers. Older children strengthen their confidence, leadership and knowledge by supporting younger children in the classroom.
Families can learn more about our kindergarten offering through the Montessori Cycle 1 and Kindergarten Program page.
During their final year before school, children also participate in Montessori Academy’s School Readiness Kinder Preparation Program. The program supports children to build important skills in literacy, numeracy, communication, emotional regulation, independence and problem-solving.
Learn more about the School Readiness Kinder Preparation Program.
To find a nearby centre and book a visit, explore the Montessori Academy childcare and kindergarten locations in Victoria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Free Kinder in Victoria.
Is Kinder free in Victoria in 2026? +
Free Kinder is available at participating services in Victoria. At long day care services, Free Kinder is applied as a fee offset to help reduce the cost of the funded kindergarten program.
Families may still pay for additional care hours outside the funded kindergarten program, depending on their child’s attendance, fees and Child Care Subsidy entitlement.
How does the 15 hours of Free Kinder work? +
The Victorian Government provides funding for up to 15 hours of kindergarten each week through participating services.
At long day care centres, this support is usually applied as an annual fee offset across the year to help reduce out-of-pocket kindergarten costs.
Can you get CCS and Free Kinder? +
Yes. Eligible families can receive both the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy and the Victorian Government Free Kinder offset.
CCS is applied first, then the Free Kinder offset is applied to the remaining out-of-pocket fees.
Who is eligible for Free Kinder in Victoria? +
Free Kinder is available to families with children enrolled in a funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, Four-Year-Old Kindergarten or eligible Pre-Prep program at a participating service.
Families do not need to hold a Health Care Card, be Australian citizens or be eligible for Child Care Subsidy to access Free Kinder at a participating service.
Does Free Kinder mean childcare is completely free? +
Not always. Free Kinder supports the funded kindergarten program. If a child attends long day care for longer hours or additional days, families may still pay fees for care outside the funded kindergarten hours.
What is the difference between the Kinder Tick and Free Kinder? +
The Kinder Tick shows that a kindergarten program is funded and approved by the Victorian Government.
Free Kinder is the fee support available at participating services. Families should look for the Kinder Tick and confirm that their chosen service participates in Free Kinder.
What is Pre-Prep in Victoria? +
Pre-Prep is the Victorian Government’s expanded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten program.
It is being introduced progressively across Victoria and will gradually increase funded kindergarten hours for eligible children before they start school.
Do families need to apply for Free Kinder? +
No. Families do not need to apply directly to the Victorian Government.
The participating kindergarten or long day care service will provide the required information and explain how the Free Kinder fee offset will be applied.
Free Kinder participation, funded hours and program availability may vary between services. Families should confirm the available program directly with their chosen Montessori Academy centre.
This page was last updated on 8 July 2026. Government funding amounts, eligibility requirements and program availability may change. Please refer to the Victorian Government’s Free Kinder information for the latest updates.