The Australian Government is investing in targeted measures to improve the lives of First Nations children through better access to quality early childhood education and care (ECEC).
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From 5 January 2026, carers of identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are entitled to 100 subsidised hours per fortnight, regardless of their activity level.
National Agreement on Closing the Gap
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap aims to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and governments to work together to:
- overcome the inequality experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and
- achieve life outcomes equal to all Australians.
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap has 19 national socio-economic targets. These targets focus on areas that impact life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Closing the Gap targets 3 and 4 focus on the early years. They aim to ensure:
- children are engaged in high quality, culturally appropriate ECEC
- children thrive in their early years.
Read the National Agreement on Closing the Gap
Annual report and implementation plan
On 10 February 2025, the Australian Government released the Commonwealth Closing the Gap 2024 Annual Report and 2025 Implementation Plan.
The report:
- assesses progress against Closing the Gap targets and priority reforms over the last year
- outlines priorities to support Closing the Gap targets and priority reforms over the next year
- spotlights outstanding programs, services and initiatives.
Read the Commonwealth Closing the Gap 2024 annual report and 2025 implementation plan
Partnership agreement
On Wednesday 5 March, Mr Tony Cook PSM and SNAICC – National Voice for our Children (SNAICC) CEO Ms Catherine Liddle both signed and endorsed a formal Partnership Agreement between the department and SNAICC.
The Partnership Agreement was co-developed between the department and SNAICC to support all priority reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (National Agreement).
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap acknowledges:
- the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- the importance of working in partnership to overcome entrenched inequality.
Our Partnership Agreement with SNAICC:
- fulfills a key commitment made in the Commonwealth 2024 Implementation Plan to establish formal partnership agreements with First Nations peaks and to develop fundamentally new ways of working with First Nations people
- affirms SNAICC will share decision making with the department on initiatives affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in early childhood education and care
- provides accountability and transparency to how the department engages SNAICC and how its independent policy advice is incorporated into early childhood education and care policy reform.
Read the formal Partnership Agreement with SNAICC
Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership
The Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership is about bringing together governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives.
The partnership enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to work in genuine partnership with governments to drive community-led, early childhood care and development outcomes.
We co-chair the partnership with SNAICC – the National Voice for our Children.
The partnership is part of the commitment of Australian governments to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Learn more about the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership
Connected Beginnings
Connected Beginnings is an Australian Government grants program that helps First Nations children get the best start to life.
The Australian Government has committed $81.8 million to expand the program. This will grow the program to 50 sites across Australia by 2025, supporting up to 20% of all First Nations children.
Connected Beginnings supports all Closing the Gap priority reforms and focuses on targets 2, 3 and 4.
Learn more about Connected Beginnings
CCCF restricted expansion grant
The Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) restricted expansion grant supports identified ECEC services in:
- mainly remote and very remote communities
- where there is low or no supply of CCS-approved child care.
The Australian Government has committed $29.9 million to expand the restricted grant.
The CCCF restricted expansion grant is part of the government’s commitment to achieving Closing the Gap targets. The aim is to increase participation rates of First Nations children in ECEC settings.
These services prioritise First Nations children. Services are culturally safe and reflect children’s individual learning and development, culture, abilities and interests.
Learn more about the CCCF restricted expansion grant
Intensive ECEC model trial
The Australian Government has committed $9.5 million to support a trial of an intensive ECEC model at 4 sites.
The trial includes a dedicated First Nations site.
The trial contributes to Closing the Gap targets 3 and 4.
Learn more about the intensive ECEC model trial
Early learning teaching pilot
The Australian Government has committed $1.9 million to design, implement and evaluate a new early learning teaching pilot.
The pilot aims to help Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children get ready for school.
The pilot contributes to Closing the Gap targets 3 and 4.
Learn more about the Early Learning Teaching Pilot
Activity test for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children
Families can get at least 36 hours of Child Care Subsidy (CCS) fortnight for each Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child in their care. This is regardless of their family’s activity level.
This measure will directly support Closing the Gap target 4.
Learn more about the activity test for First Nations families.