The Australian Government has tasked the Productivity Commission with undertaking an inquiry into Australia’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) system.
On this page:
About the inquiry
The Australian Government released the terms of reference for the Productivity Commission’s comprehensive inquiry into Australia’s ECEC system on 9 February 2023 and the inquiry commenced on 1 March 2023.
The inquiry will make recommendations to support affordable, accessible, equitable and high-quality ECEC that reduces barriers to workforce participation and supports children’s learning and development.
The government has appointed Professor Emerita Deborah Brennan AM as an Associate Commissioner to assist with the inquiry.
The findings of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry into the price of early childhood education and care will feed into this inquiry.
Inquiry process and consultation
The Productivity Commission inquiry began on 1 March 2023. The Commission will provide a final report to the Australian Government by 30 June 2024 and will release a draft report in late November 2023.
The initial call for public submissions closed on 19 May. These and the comments submitted to date are published on the Productivity Commission’s page for submissions received.
The Commission will consider those submissions as it develops a draft report, which is due for release in late November 2023. Public hearings will occur in 2024.
For questions about the inquiry and how to participate visit the Productivity Commission website or email childhood@pc.gov.au