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A quick guide and full guide are available to support you to navigate the exciting changes to the Strategic Inclusion Plan on the IS Portal introduced in June 2024.

There is a Checklist to help services to ensure your IDF Subsidy for an Additional Educator application is complete and accurate, prior to submission to your IP for endorsement.


For other important information, including providing NDIS related Documentary Evidence, click here



What are Unique Projects?

Unique Projects are projects that meet the criteria for Innovative Solutions Support (i.e.: lead to the genuine inclusion of a child/ren with additional needs and enhance the inclusion capacity of educators in relation to a particular cohort) but do not fit into one of the other four Project Types (Bi-lingual Support, Cultural Mentoring, Specialised Training and Advice, Guided Practice).

The Unique Projects Project type is designed to allow services to be innovative and flexible in designing a support solution that meets their own specific needs. Unique Projects may include new or unique approaches to inclusion or combine elements from several different Project Types. They are usually highly specific to the context of the service/s involved.

On this page:

When to consider a Unique Project

When developing a Unique Project, it is important that the service, their Inclusion Professional (IP) and chosen Support Provider work closely together to ensure that the proposed Project will lead to clear inclusion outcomes for children and increased inclusion capacity for educators.

The service will need to provide an explanation of, and rationale for, what they plan to do and the outcomes they aim to achieve. The application will also need to demonstrate that the Project represents value for money and show that it has a likely chance of success.

Strategic Inclusion Plan Requirements

Before commencing a Unique Project application, the service must have a current Strategic Inclusion Plan (SIP), documented in the IS Portal, which includes a SIP Care Environment Plan for the Care Environments who will be involved in the Project.

Please refer to the Innovative Solutions Support Guide for Services for additional information regarding SIP requirements when apply for a Unique Project.

Developing an Application

Inclusion Professionals (IP) play an important role in supporting services to access and implement Innovative Solutions Support Projects. Before beginning the Unique Project Application Process, services should consult with their IP to determine if Innovative Solutions Support, and a Unique Project are the best fit for their specific needs.

Individual ECEC services, including specific care environments within a service, individual Family Day Care educators, Family Day Care Services or groups of services can apply for Unique Projects.

IPs are required to endorse the services application before it can be submitted to the Inclusion Development Fund Manager (IDFM) for Approval.

Developing an Innovative Solutions Support Project requires the service to:

  • Consult with their Inclusion Professional (IP)
  • Have a current Strategic Inclusion Plan (SIP)
  • Complete an Application Form including developing a Project Plan
  • Select a Support Provider and obtain a financial quote
  • Create and submit an IS Case on the IS Portal

Please refer to the Innovative Solutions Support Projects - Guide for Services for additional information regarding SIP requirements when apply for a Unique Project.

Application Outcomes

If funding is approved

The service will receive an email with a Letter of Offer attached, providing the details of their approved Innovative Solutions Case. This will be sent to the Service Provider email address listed on the services SIP. This letter must be signed and returned to the IDF Manager at idfminnovative@ku.com.au. Once the agreement is executed, payment will be made directly to the service from the Department.

If funding is not approved

The service will receive an email with an Application Declined letter attached. This will be sent to the Service Provider email address listed on the services SIP. The outcome of the assessment will be available as an ‘Assessment Outcome’ note on the IS Case.

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