Network News - November

The HIPPY Sublicence and Funding Agreement 2026 was issued earlier this month. Please ensure you return your signed agreement by close of business, 24 November 2025.

Checklist:

• Review the agreement
• Sign and witness the agreement
• Submit your signed agreement by the deadline

New ACCOs need to set up their payment and send their invoice for Establishment Funding as per the instructions in the email.

For questions or support, reach out to HIPPY Australia.

The Australian Government is proposing significant reforms to how grants are administered to community sector organisations. These changes aim to streamline service delivery, reduce administrative burden, and improve outcomes for families, children, and young people.

This consultation is highly relevant to HIPPY Australia and our site provider partners. Whilst our HIPPY contract does not currently fall within the five existing programs that are proposed to be consolidated into a single national program, this reform could directly impact how HIPPY is funded and delivered in the future.

Minister Plibersek has emphasised the importance of creating a more flexible and outcomes-focused system that better supports families and children. A Discussion Paper outlining the proposed changes is now available on DSS Engage , along with an evidence summary , consultation summary , and a video message from the Minister .

We strongly encourage all HIPPY provider network and stakeholders to participate in this consultation.

Ways to have your say:

• Make a submission to the Discussion Paper
• Complete a short online survey
• Attend a townhall session (multiple dates and locations available)

Submissions close 5 December 2025.

Visit DSS Engage to read more and contribute your feedback. If you have any questions about the consultation, please contact families@dss.gov.au

The Submission of the End of Age 3 and Graduation journeys will need to be entered into ETO prior to 31December 2025.

If your site has completed delivery, it’s recommended that you start collecting this information.

The July-December Line Manager Report and Coordinator Report are due on or before 14 January 2026.

Early submission before the cut-off date is welcome and can be started immediately.

As part of HIPPY Australia's reporting requirements to the Department of Social Services, all HIPPY providers are required to complete an Annual Statement of Safeguarding Compliance. This statement must be completed by your CEO (or an authorised delegate with written notification) and certifies that your organisation was compliant with its safeguarding obligations during the preceding year.

Further information about safeguarding obligations can be found in Sections 14 and 15 of your HIPPY Sublicence and Funding Agreement (2023-2025)

To successfully submit your organisation’s Annual Statement of Safeguarding Compliance you will need to:

• Gather the documentary evidence being requested in the form
• Read the Statement of Safeguarding Compliance
• Review and sign the Declaration of Safeguarding Compliance
• Submit both the documentary evidence and the completed declaration to HIPPYAustralia@bsl.org.au by Friday, 30 January 2026

The Annual Statement of Safeguarding Compliance form link was mailed to you, along with the completion Guide , and LMS (Learning Management System) Course Overview .

For questions, please contact HIPPYAustralia@bsl.org.au .

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The HIPPY Australia National Office (HANO) has submitted the 2025 Annual review of the HIPPY Recruitment and Retention strategy to DSS (Department of Social Services). This annual review fulfils our contractual reporting obligations and reflects our commitment to transparency, continuous improvement, and evidence-based practice.

The report highlights strong recruitment and retention outcomes across the network, despite challenges including rising living costs, workforce shortages, and service transitions. It showcases the creative, community-led solutions developed by providers and the strategies that have contributed to these results.

Built on Your Efforts

The report's achievements are based on the work of HIPPY providers across Australia, who have strengthened community partnerships, delivered flexible and culturally responsive program models, supported families through tailored engagement strategies, and shared best practices through Communities of Practice and coaching. Your insights, data, and reflections are invaluable.

Navigating Challenges Together

We acknowledge the challenges faced by providers seeking to recruit and retain families: rising living costs, workforce shortages, and service transitions. The creative, community-led solutions developed in response is commendable. Your ability to adapt and innovate in the face of these barriers demonstrates the resilience and dedication that define the HIPPY network.

Your commitment to supporting families, adapting to change, and championing HIPPY continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and communities across Australia. This report captures not just data and outcomes, but the collective impact of your work on the ground.

A summary of key findings from the report will be shared with the network in the coming weeks.

HIPPY Australia’s transition project to strengthen self-determination and sustainability at First Nations focussed HIPPY sites by exploring local communities’ interest in having an ACCO deliver HIPPY has been moving ahead this month. Seventeen sites are now at the handover stage where the current providers are working with new providers to support a smooth handover in the new year. A further two sites are expected to move into the handover stage in the coming weeks.

Key to these collaborative relationships is the Commitment to handover with Dadirri (deep listening) and Ganma (two-way learning) where the organisations and HIPPY Australia work together to outline a shared understanding of how the transition looks practically, committing to agreed mutual expectations and responsibilities and building transparent and trusting relationships. This approach is proving successful in supporting transitions and making sure that families’ experience of the program and their understanding of what is happening is prioritised.

A special pre-service Coordinator training is in development for new ACCO providers whilst new Line Managers are being trained this month, preparing new providers to start delivering HIPPY in 2026.

Graduation season is in full swing, and your stories and celebrations are inspiring! Your graduation story is media-ready, and we encourage you to use these resources to share your success independently:

• Speaking Points Fact Sheet - Key talking points for you, Tutors, and families when engaging with MPs and media
• Media Pitch Template - For approaching local media outlets
• Media Release Template - Ready-to-customize for your event

Remember to keep us updated throughout your media outreach and share any coverage so we can celebrate with the network!

If you’d like help crafting your pitch or identifying story angles, please email HIPPYAustralia@bsl.org.au to connect with the team.

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Thank you to everyone who has shared graduation highlights. Your photos and stories reflect how each HIPPY celebration is unique. We’re impressed by the creative approach to graduation, whether it’s including special guests or tailoring events to your local community. We look forward to catching stories of sites with upcoming graduations.

To capture and showcase the diversity of HIPPY, we’re building “Our HIPPY, Our Community”, a collection of real examples of how sites adapt the program for their families. These stories will be shared on both our website and socials to highlight your innovation, help with advocacy, and inspire others.

What does “flexing” look like?

Flexing doesn’t have to be complicated. It could be a small change that makes the biggest difference in your program. It might be:

• Using a different title for Tutor or role play that suits your families
• Choosing local terms for Gathering
• Adjusting delivery or including cultural activities

Share your story, big or small, by

• Uploading your stories and media here: Our HIPPY Our Community Form , OR
• Emailing photos/videos to: hippyaustralia.com.au

A quick writing guide is available to get you started for sharing stories.

Thank you for showing how HIPPY meets your community’s needs, let’s keep telling these important stories together!

Curriculum kitting and packing is in progress with distribution set for mid-January 2026. We look forward to sharing a detailed update in our final newsletter before Christmas.

HIPPY Australia recently invited CEOs and/or their nominated delegates to participate in a consultation discussion about the future of HIPPY and our upcoming proposal to the Department of Social Services (DSS). This was an important opportunity to share insights and gather feedback on the directions we are considering as part of our advocacy and funding strategy. During the session, we outlined key challenges and opportunities, including:

• Funding Sustainability: Current DSS agreements run until June 2027, but rising costs have made it increasingly difficult for providers to deliver contractual outcomes within existing budgets

• Policy Reform Alignment: We explored how HIPPY can align with major reforms such as the Early Years Strategy 2024-2034, National Family & Children Investment Strategy, Safe & Supported Framework, Thriving Kids initiatives, and Closing the Gap commitments
• Future Positioning and Innovations: Proposed ideas include:
  • Strengthening HIPPY as the core of locally responsive, integrated early years supports
  • Introducing roles like community connectors to link families with services
  • Workforce development through “earn while you learn” models for tutors
  • Enhanced inclusion for children with developmental delays and disabilities
  • Flexible innovation funding and national Communities of Practice
  • For First Nations ACCO-led sites: establishing a provider network to support cultural governance and leadership

We also heard that Coordinators are eager to provide input and help shape and strengthen the future of HIPPY across the country. Please rest assured that the Coordinator voice is very important to HIPPY Australia and know that our initial thinking for the DSS proposal has very much already been informed by:

• Feedback from Line Manager Reports and Coordinator Reports
• Insights from Coordinator Communities of Practice
• Conversations during site visits across Australia
• Suggestions provided by coordinators and line managers via the HIPPY Australia inbox hippyaustralia@bsl.org.au

Next steps include

• Finalizing Sublicence and Funding Agreements for 2026
• Preparing a comprehensive federal funding proposal for submission to DSS
• Continuing advocacy to secure sustainable funding and support integrated early years services
• We will also be providing additional information sessions for new ACCOs as they join the network over the next months

Stay tuned for how you can get further involved in advocacy in 2026!

Do you want to know more about the resources at the SNAICC 2025 HIPPY stall?

Read the full set of postcard stories and find out more about community leadership and voices by clicking on the link below.

https://hippyaustralia.bsl.org.au/snaicc-2025/

Learnings from the transition of HIPPY to First Nations providers

In September, First Nations leaders from ac.care, Anglicare WA, and HIPPY Australia (BSL) facilitated a workshop at the annual Anglicare Australia Conference. The session was co-designed by the three organisations and focused on sharing real experiences, resources, and practical lessons from the HIPPY ACCO Transition and the transition of power to community control.

The workshop centred on three areas: the principles and lessons learned so far, supporting providers to reflect on their own readiness for transition, and connecting this work to Closing the Gap priorities and the role each organisation plays. The session included a yarning circle where participants discussed the ‘why’ behind transition, self-determination, and the importance of local, community-led approaches.

Link to the resource page shared at the workshop: https://hippyaustralia.bsl.org.au/resources-anglicare2025/

Presenters 

Annie Kent
First Nations Advisor, HIPPY Australia, Brotherhood of St. Laurence

Dorothy Kartinyeri
Manager of Aboriginal Services and Community Partnerships, ac.care 

Jarred Wall
General Manager of Aboriginal Service Development Anglicare WA

We want to hear from you!

The Brotherhood of St. Laurence have been paying close attention to the incredible work happening across the HIPPY network this year. They want to promote the national program even further and are looking for a handful of people who would be interested in sharing their HIPPY story.

They are especially keen to hear stories about the Tutor journey.
If you started as a HIPPY parent, became a Tutor, or have a powerful story to share, we would love to hear from you.

If you’re interested or have any questions, please email hippy.australia@bsl.org.au

Submit a HIPPY story through our Story Form: https://wkf.ms/3VJiabr

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We received an update from SNAICC that the Australian Government’s Department of Education has announced that changes to Child Care Subsidy (CCS) hours are set to start in 2026.

From 5 January 2026, all CCS eligible families can get at least 72 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight. Families can get 100 hours of subsidised childcare each fortnight for each child if they:

• are caring for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child
• have more than 48 hours each fortnight of recognised participation
• have an exemption or experience exceptional circumstances
• receive Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS), child wellbeing, temporary financial hardship, or grandparent payments.

Please note

• Families must still pay a gap fee, except in certain circumstances
• Families are not guaranteed a place with a provider. Families will still need to secure a place with their chosen child care service

Providers and services

Find out more on the 3-day guarantee page , or call Child Care Subsidy Provider Helpdesk 1300 667 276 or via email: ccshelpdesk@education.gov.au

What to communicate with families

To find out more and lodge a claim, visit the Services Australia website: Changes if you get family payments , or find more information via the following links, to

• find out more about CCS
• find out more about the changes
• lodge a claim . If you can’t claim online, you can call the Centrelink families line

Looking ahead to 2026, we’re starting to plan the events calendar and would love your input. Each year, sites attend and promote HIPPY at various conferences, creating valuable opportunities to connect, advocate, and share our program’s impact.

To help us support your efforts, please share any upcoming events or conferences where you plan to participate, whether you’re attending, holding a booth, or presenting. Let us know your topic and goals so we can help maximise HIPPY’s presence.

Some key conferences on our radar for 2026 include:

• ECA National Conference 2026: (30 September-3 October, Melbourne)Ideal for national policy and advocacy updates
• 3rd National PRECI Conference 2026: (Registrations open October 2025, early bird deadline March 2026)Ideal for professionals in early childhood intervention and inclusion
• Early Years Conference 2026: (21-22 May, Cairns)Perfect for cross-sector collaboration and community-focused practice
• C&K Conference 2026: (25 July, Brisbane)Inspires educators with creativity, play, and arts-based approaches

We’re working to build a state-wise conference list to showcase and support sites’ participation. Please get in touch with your upcoming plans so we can collaborate early for a strong HIPPY presence.

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HIPPY Australia has launched revised Safeguarding training modules on the Learning Management System (LMS), designed to better support different roles across our community. These modules have been developed ahead of the 2025 Annual Statement of Safeguarding Compliance (ASOSC) to meet statutory requirements tied to the HIPPY Sublicence and Funding Agreement.

Two training pathways are:

• Safeguarding and Your HIPPY Sublicence: Required annual training for Line Managers and Coordinators
• Safeguarding Fundamentals: Mandatory for Tutors in their first year, with annual refreshers recommended to complement your site’s own safeguarding training. This module is also assigned for reference to administration staff

Recording Training

Please use the ETO function to accurately record the status of training completion for all staff at your site. To monitor progress, the LMS Course Overview outlines:

• Who needs to complete each module
• When training completion is required
• How often refreshers are to be completed

Important Notification

During the module rollout, some users received multiple enrolment notifications due to a default platform setting. We apologise for any confusion this caused. You can disable these notifications by following the Step Wise Guide to Using Canvas Notifications , now available in the LMS under the same name.

Questions?

For assistance, contact us anytime at hippyaustralia@bsl.org.au .

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We are excited to announce the launch of the First Nations Language Toolkit , now available on the HIPPY LMS Library (under the Manuals and Guides section).

This important resource marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to celebrating and strengthening First Nations language and culture within the HIPPY program.

This resource marks a significant milestone in our commitment to celebrating and strengthening First Nations language and culture within HIPPY. Developed with guidance from First Nations-owned Elephant in the Room Consulting (EITRC). The support of EITRC has helped shape a resource that is practical, culturally responsive, and grounded in respect for the knowledge and voices of First Nations people and communities. The Toolkit is practical, culturally responsive, and reflects the diversity of language practices across our network.

We also wish to acknowledge that the Toolkit was informed by insights from site Coordinators, Tutors, and community members. The Toolkit reflects the diversity and richness of language practices across our network.

The Toolkit offers ideas, practical tools, and examples to help HIPPY sites engage with their local languages, strengthen community connections, and enhance inclusion for all families.

Access the Toolkit via the HIPPY LMS Library and explore how it can support your work with families and communities.

We have heard feedback that new Coordinators often experience delays in receiving ETO training after starting their roles. In response, the Learning and Development Team and Quality, Performance and Admin Team have collaborated to develop a new LMS module covering key ETO functionality.

The new module covers:

• ETO navigation
• Data entry
• ETO Reports

All new Coordinators and Line Managers will be automatically enrolled in this course. For current staff who are already comfortable with ETO, the course is an opt-in.

If you would like access to this new course for any reason, please contact the ETO Helpdesk at HIPPYAustraliaETOSupport@bsl.org.au , and we will enrol you.

The ETO User Manual is valuable for both newcomers and experienced staff looking to refresh their knowledge. It is available on the LMS under ETO Forms and Information , or via this link: HIPPY ETO Manual .

Whilst we’re still waiting on all the data to come in for 2025, we thought we’d focus on how families are tracking across the network in a few of the key outcome areas so far for both Age 3 and Age 4 families.

• 75% of children showed an improvement in their interest in reading or looking at books
• 56% of children showed an improvement in the skills they need to start school
• 38% of children showed an increase in how far they could count
• 32% of children showed an improvement in their capacity to engage in imaginary play

We’re pleased to announce that the 2026 enrolment form and guide, along with the updated staff exit form, are now available on the LMS.

Over the past 12 months, the ETO Support team has received valuable feedback, which we've used to revise these documents. The updates are designed to better support sites in meeting their reporting obligations.

We strongly encourage staff to review the revised Enrolment form guide, especially when working with families to complete the enrolment form. This resource is incredibly helpful and will assist coordinators in understanding what’s required when beginning to build relationships with families.

The 2026 Enrolment form has been finalised and is now available on the LMS, under ETO Forms and Information . There is now an accompanying resource that is both linked on the Enrolment form and available separately on the LMS called the Enrolment form guide .

As 2025 draws to a close and many sites begin wrapping up delivery, please remember that families ending their HIPPY journey need to be exited from ETO. Refer to the ETO User Manual for guidance or contact us via HIPPYAustraliaETOSupport@bsl.org.au for assistance.

Graduation Policy Reminder

All Age 4 families still active in October can now GRADUATE. As announced last year, graduation is no longer based on the number of packs completed, but on families remaining active and engaged in October of their final year (if they haven't already graduated).

All Age 4 families leaving HIPPY after October are to be marked as Graduated, not Early Exited. Even if a Graduation Journey is not completed. We still encourage you to ensure every family completes a Graduation Journey where possible.

Graduation Journeys are a key part of celebrating achievement and progress through the program. As well as being an important part of understanding the program’s impacts, recording the data is an important part of our DSS reporting.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the HIPPY International Visit Event on Tuesday, 28 October.

Your engagement made each session rich with insight, questions, and genuine connection.

We're pleased to share that recordings from all three sessions are now available on the LMS:

Resources:

• Session 1 Recording: Bringing local language and data to life within your community
• Session 2 Recording: HIPPY around the world with HIPPY International delegates
• Session 3 Recording: In their own voice - Stories from across the network

Presentation slides and additional resources, including Language Toolkit launch materials and HIPPY International resources, will be shared shortly.

For questions, please reach out to the HIPPY Australia inbox .

Invitation to provide feedback: As a reflective practice, we invite you to please take five minutes to share your feedback and unpack the event. This helps us improve future planning and organising of webinars and events.

Hearing the word autism for the first time can stir many emotions: confusion, relief, even fear about what comes next. But you don’t have to have all the answers right away.

Join Autism Awareness Australia CEO Nicole Rogerson and Claire Birrell, Head of Early Intervention at Learning for Life, for a free webinar designed to help families understand what early intervention really means and how to take confident, informed steps forward.

We’ll explore:

• What early intervention actually involves and why timing matters
• How to choose supports that suit your child’s strengths and needs
• Common myths and misconceptions (and what the evidence really says)
• Practical advice on getting started, from NDIS pathways to everyday strategies

This warm, supportive session will help you feel reassured, empowered, and ready to move forward with clarity and confidence.

When: Thursday, 27 November 2025
Time: 12:00 pm (AEDT)

This on-demand webinar explores how organisations can build more culturally safe workplaces with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

Presenters: Leigh Brown, Sarah Decrea, Eddie Moore and Kira Duggan

This webinar will help you:

• develop a better understanding of what cultural safety is and the importance and value of having culturally safe workplaces
• gain insight into the barriers and enablers to building a culturally safe workplace
• develop insight into how practitioners, service providers and organisations can build culturally safe workplaces

Frequently Asked Questions: https://aifs.gov.au/accessibility/webinar-faqs
Webinar on demand booking link
AIFS webinar recording library

This day marks the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign to raise awareness and mobilize action to end violence against women and girls. It's an important opportunity to stand in solidarity with survivors and advocate for safe, respectful communities for all.

This United Nations observance promotes the rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities in all areas of society. It's a day to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities and raise awareness about inclusion, accessibility, and removing barriers in our communities and workplaces.

Wishing all our HIPPY families, Coordinators, Tutors, and partners a joyful and restful Christmas. May this time bring warmth, connection, and celebration with loved ones.

As we close out 2025, we reflect with gratitude on the achievements across the HIPPY network and look forward to another year of learning, connection, and growth in 2026.