Fifty government-owned and operated childcare centres across Melbourne and the north-west will create thousands of extra places for children.
10 childcare centres will open in 2026, as well as the areas for a further 20 centres set to open in 2027 and 2028.
Creating more than 950 new places for kids across childcare and three- and four-year-old kinder, the 10 centres set to open in 2026 will be co-located with existing government schools where there is a need for more childcare – and will have space for facilities for critical services like Maternal and Child Health and Allied Health where possible.
The new centres opening in 2026 will be located at Clunes Primary School, Hallam Primary School, Harrisfield Primary School, Kings Park Primary School, McClelland Secondary College, Numurkah Primary School, Portland South Primary School, Wedderburn College, Wilmot Road Primary School and Wyndham Park Primary School.
The 20 new locations opening in 2027 and 2028 will be in Alexandra, Avoca, Bendigo South, Casterton, Churchill, Cohuna, Craigieburn, Cranbourne, Drouin, Hamilton, Maffra and District, Melton West, Mickleham, Newborough, Nicholson and District, Roxburgh Park, Warrnambool, Wollert, Wonthaggi–Inverloch, and Woori Yallock.
Where possible, these 20 centres will be located at or alongside government schools, hospitals, TAFEs and other major employers, making childcare more accessible and convenient – as well as affordable – for busy families.
The first four government-owned childcare centres are set to open in 2025 at Moomba Park Primary School, as well as Eaglehawk North Primary School, Murtoa College and Sunshine Primary School.
The state government has already introduced universal three-year-old kinder, made both three- and four-year old kinder totally free for every Victorian child, and invested more than $2.7 billion in infrastructure to make sure facilities in every corner of Victoria are modern, fit-for-purpose and support our children to grow and learn.
Premier Jacinta Allan said ,“More childcare options, closer to home: that’s what Victorian parents need, and that’s what we’re delivering.”
“We’re making sure more Victorian parents can get back to work when they want to, removing the stress they face in constantly searching for childcare – and most importantly, making sure kids are getting the critical early education they need for the best start in life.”
