The Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership (the Partnership) held its ninth meeting in Boorloo/Perth on 19 and 20 March 2025. The meeting took place on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja (Country).
The Partnership brings together governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives to drive community-led early childhood outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
The meeting included representatives from:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander independent and peak bodies
- all Australian governments.
Progressing the Partnership’s priorities
The Partnership's priorities, aimed at advancing the safety, development and wellbeing of children in support of Closing the Gap targets, were a focal point of the meeting.
Workshops
Members participated in 2 workshops.
The first workshop, attended by members of the Early Childhood Policy Group (ECPG), focused on:
- access to early childhood education and care (ECEC) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
- funding models for Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation (ACCO) Integrated Early Years Services.
The workshop supported the development of implementation advice in response to 2 research reports commissioned by the Partnership.
The second workshop involved discussions around transitioning child and family services funding to ACCOs.
Members identified high-impact actions governments could take in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This included ways to direct increased funding to ACCOs delivering child and family services, so that funding to these services is proportionate to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Other priorities progressed
An update was provided on the development of an Evidence Guidance Framework, which aims to guide a shared understanding between governments and ACCOs on how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, researchers, and organisations define, use, and understand evidence regarding child and family support services.
Members also agreed to progress research projects on:
- improving the availability and accuracy of data regarding children and parents with disability in contact with child protection systems
- exploring ways to improve funding models for ACCOs delivering child and family services.
Other activities
Other activities at the meeting included:
- representatives provided an overview of the local early childhood care and development operating context in Western Australia
- representatives from the East Kimberley Place Based Policy Partnership presented
- members outlined the opportunities, focus areas and relevant work that will be underway in their states and territories this year.
The Partnership will meet again in July 2025 to continue progressing its priorities.
To learn more:
- read the meeting 9 summary
- visit the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership page.