Lumora Pakenham Centre is opening soon — tours are now open for baby, toddler and kinder places.
Book a tour
Victorian Government Free Kinder
Free Kindergarten
Free kindergarten in Victoria comes through Free Kinder, a Victorian Government program that pays for funded Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Kinder. In long day care, it comes off your fees as an offset: up to $2,101 a year for each child in 2026.
Last reviewed 19 October 2026
$2,101
off per child in 2026 (15 hrs)
Every
Victorian child is eligible
$0
to claim: it's on your invoice
What is Free Kinder?
Victoria funds two years of kinder before school. Free Kinder covers children enrolled in a funded Three-Year-Old Kinder program or a funded Four-Year-Old Kinder program, including Pre-Prep, at services that choose to take part.
At a standalone (sessional) kinder, Free Kinder makes the program free. In long day care, kinder sits inside a longer day of education and care, so Free Kinder comes off your fees as a set amount across the year.
Wherever your child goes, a funded kinder program is led by a qualified teacher.
Who is eligible?
- All Victorian children in a funded Three- or Four-Year-Old Kinder program
- No Health Care Card, Pension Card, citizenship or proof of address needed
- You don't need to be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
- One Free Kinder service at a time, per child
How Free Kinder works in long day care
The government pays the centre, not you. There's nothing to claim and you're never out of pocket waiting for a refund.
Your weekly fee
Covers kinder hours and the care around them.
CCS comes off first
Your Child Care Subsidy reduces the fee, based on income and hours.
Then the Free Kinder offset
Shown on your statement as "Victorian Government Free Kinder offset".
You pay what's left
Hours over 15 a week aren't covered by the offset.
You'll sign a short form naming the one service where you receive Free Kinder. If your child also goes to another kinder, let both services know which one you've chosen.
How much does Free Kinder save?
These are the 2026 Free Kinder offsets in long day care, per child, for the year.
| Program | Annual offset (2026) |
|---|---|
| Three-Year-Old Kinder | $700.33 (5 hrs/wk) to $2,101 (15 hrs/wk) |
| Four-Year-Old Kinder | $2,101 (15 hrs/wk) |
| Pre-Prep | $2,241 (16 hrs/wk) to $4,202 (30 hrs/wk) |
Victoria sets these amounts each year. 2027 rates haven't been published yet; we'll update this page when they are. Check the latest at vic.gov.au/free-kinder.
Free Kinder and CCS: a worked example
A four-year-old in long day care three days a week. This is the Victorian Government's own example.
Your numbers depend on income, days attended and the daily fee. Our calculator does the working out for you.
| Weekly fee for 3 days | $360.00 |
| Child Care Subsidy | −$252.00 |
| Free Kinder offset ($2,101 over 40 weeks) | −$52.53 |
| Family pays | about $55/week |
Free Kinder and Pre-Prep
Four-Year-Old Kinder is gradually becoming Pre-Prep, with more funded hours each week. It's rolling out in stages, council area by council area, and the extra hours are part of Free Kinder.
In Ballarat, extra Pre-Prep hours arrive from 2032 (between 16 and 25 hours a week). In Pakenham and the rest of Cardinia Shire, they arrive from 2034, with the rest of metropolitan Melbourne. Wherever you live, some children get the extra hours earlier — see the list below.
Already eligible for more hours, anywhere in Victoria
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
- Children from a refugee or asylum seeker background
- Children who have had contact with Child Protection
- Children who had Early Start Kindergarten or Access to Early Learning at three
At Lumora
Free kindergarten in Ballarat and Pakenham
At Lumora, kinder is part of the long day, not a separate service. Your child does their funded kinder program with the same educators and friends they see every morning, in the same building, with no dash across town between sessions.
Both centres are open 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
- 2 Stirling Drive, Lake Gardens
- 3 Savage Street, Pakenham
Four-Year-Old Kinder
In Wanderers (4 to 5 years), led by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher.
Three-Year-Old Kinder
In Voyagers (3 to 4 years), part of the same long day.
Inclusion Specialist
Works inside the room every day, supporting any child who needs a little more help, with or without a diagnosis.
Ready for Prep
We look at feelings, friendships and independence, and write a transition statement for school with your input.
Questions
Free kindergarten FAQs
Who is eligible for Free Kinder?
Every Victorian child enrolled in a funded Three-Year-Old or Four-Year-Old Kinder program, including Pre-Prep. You don't need a Health Care Card, a Pension Card, citizenship documents or proof of address, and you don't need to be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy. Each child can receive Free Kinder at one service at a time.
Do I need to apply for Free Kinder?
No. The government pays the centre directly — there is nothing to claim and you're never out of pocket waiting for a refund. You'll sign a short form naming the one service where your child receives Free Kinder.
Does Free Kinder replace the Child Care Subsidy?
No — they stack. Your Child Care Subsidy comes off the fee first, based on your income and recognised hours. The Free Kinder offset is then applied on top of that.
Is kindergarten completely free in long day care?
The funded kinder program itself is covered. In long day care, kinder sits inside a longer day of education and care, so Free Kinder comes off your fees as a set amount across the year — $2,101 per child in 2026 for a 15-hour-a-week program. Hours over 15 a week aren't covered by the offset.
Can I get Free Kinder at more than one kinder?
No — one service at a time, per child. If your child also goes to another kinder, let both services know which one you've chosen.
Do I get Free Kinder for each child?
Yes. The offset applies per child, so a family with two children in funded kinder programs receives two offsets.
When can my child start kinder?
Children can start Three-Year-Old Kinder in the year they turn three, and Four-Year-Old Kinder in the year they turn four, with a 30 April age cut-off. Families with January-to-April birthdays can choose which year to start. Our guide to kindergarten starting ages in Victoria walks through it in detail.
Ask us about Free Kinder
Planning kinder for 2027? Visit us. Our Centre Manager will show you the kinder room, work out how Free Kinder and CCS apply to your family, and answer every question, with no pressure to decide on the day.
Lumora Ballarat
- 2 Stirling Drive, Lake Gardens VIC 3355
- 03 5340 0726
- ballarat@lumoraearlylearning.com.au
- 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM, Monday to Friday
Lumora Pakenham
- 3 Savage Street, Pakenham VIC 3810
- 0406 929 780
- pakenham@lumoraearlylearning.com.au
- 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM, Monday to Friday
Government funding rules and amounts change. Figures were checked against vic.gov.au on 19 October 2026. For the latest details, visit Free Kinder and Services Australia.
Sources: Free Kinder · More hours of 4-Year-Old Kinder · Pre-Prep roll-out schedule
Every child deserves to sit in the circle.