Early childhood educators will receive extra budget funding to help complete their studies and aid professional development.

The funding is part of a push to increase the status of teaching and attract, train and retain workers.

Complementing cheaper childcare reforms, which take effect in July, an extra $72.4 million has been allocated to build early education skills.

More than $34 million will help 75,000 educators access paid professional development training and $33 million will go towards financially supporting up to 6000 people completing their studies.

Up to 2000 student teachers will also be connected with services to complete their placements at a cost of $4.8 million. 

Students who take up a placement in a rural or remote area will also be eligible for a living allowance.

A previously announced national action plan to address the teacher workforce has been allocated an extra $9.3 million to establish national guidelines to support early career teachers and school leaders.

The funding will also help improve workforce data to better understand future demand for teachers.

Central Australian schools will receive an additional $40.4 million funding to help increase school enrolments and student engagement. 

More than $128.5 million will fund 4000 additional university places in the next four years, for STEM programs which will support the AUKUS defence partnership.

South Australian universities will be allocated 800 of the funded places and the first 200 students will commence study in 2024. 

By Maeve Bannister in Canberra