The Australian Government conducts strategic planning, inquiries, research and evaluations to ensure early childhood education and care (ECEC) policies continue to meet the needs of children and families.
On this page:
Path to universal ECEC
The Australian Government is working toward building a universal ECEC system. This work is underpinned by comprehensive strategic planning, inquiries, research and evaluations.
Service Delivery Prices project
In 2025 and 2026 we are undertaking a review into the costs of delivering quality ECEC.
Productivity Commission inquiry
In September 2024 the Productivity Commission released its final report for the inquiry into Australia’s ECEC system.
Early Years Strategy
In May 2024 the Australian Government released the Early Years Strategy 2024–2034. The strategy sets out the government’s vision that all children in Australia thrive in their early years.
Family Assistance Legislation Amendment review
In May 2024 we commissioned an independent external review of the Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Cheaper Child Care) Act 2022.
Child safety review
In 2023 the Australian Government instructed ACECQA to review child safety arrangements under the NQF.
ACCC price inquiry
In December 2023 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released its final report for the inquiry into ECEC prices.
Community Child Care Fund restricted grant review
In May 2023 we commissioned an independent external review of the Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) restricted grant.
Inclusion Support Program review
In March 2023 we commissioned an independent external review of the Inclusion Support Program (ISP).
In Home Care review
In March 2023 we commissioned an independent external review of the In Home Care program.
National vision
Australian and state and territory governments are developing a national vision for ECEC.
Earlier work
Child Care Package evaluation
Between 2017 and 2021 the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) evaluated the Child Care Package.
AIFS collected and analysed a range of information to examine how the package has impacted providers, services and families.
The Early Monitoring Report and Child Care Package Evaluation Final Report are available on the AIFS website.
Read the Australian Government's 2022 response to the evaluation
Preschool review
In 2020 the Nous Group independently reviewed the Universal Access National Partnership (UANP) for the Australian and state and territory governments.
The findings showed an increase in community awareness of the importance of children taking part in a quality preschool program in the year before school.
Child Care Package audit
In 2019 the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) undertook an audit of the Child Care Package. The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the design and governance of the package.
NQF review
In 2019 a review of the NQF was conducted to make sure it continued to meet its objectives.
Jobs for Families Child Care Package legislation
In 2015 and 2016 the Australian Government responded to two Senate Committee inquiries into the new legislation for the Jobs for Families Child Care Package:
Read the Australian Government Response to the Senate Committee Inquiry Report 2015
Read the Australian Government Response to the Senate Committee Inquiry Report 2016
Productivity Commission inquiry
In 2014 the Productivity Commission looked into future options for child care and early childhood learning.
The Productivity Commission report was released in 2015.
The Jobs for Families Child Care Package was released in response to the report as part of the 2015–16 Budget.