Early Years Strategy

The Australian Government has developed an Early Years Strategy (the Strategy), which sets out the Government’s vision to best support Australia’s children and their families.

Recognising how critical the early years are for children’s development and continued success over their lifetime, the Strategy articulates how the Australian Government will prioritise and support child-centred policy development, and target investment in early years supports and services over the next 10 years.

The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, Minister for Social Services, and the Hon Dr Anne Aly MP, Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth, launched the Strategy on 7 May 2024.

Media release

Parents and Carers Reference Group

Implementation of the Strategy will be informed by a Parents and Carers Reference Group.

Investment in the Early Years

The Australian Government has released a progress update of measures to support children and families in the early years.

Whole-of-Government Investment in the Early Years - Progress Update

Consultation and engagement

The government has consulted widely to develop the Strategy. This has included:

Phase One – Strategy Development (2023)

  • The National Early Years Summit held on 17 February 2023 at Australian Parliament House, bringing together over 100 delegates.
  • A pulse survey in early 2023, which received over 2,240 responses.
  • A discussion paper, which received over 350 public submissions.
  • 39 roundtables across Australia held in person and online, with over 750 participants.
  • Consultation with 115 children aged 3 to 5 years about what matters most to them.

The Early Years Strategy Consultation Report 2023 provides a summary of what we heard during the consultation process to inform the draft Early Years Strategy.

Phase Two – Draft Strategy

  • An online survey open from December 2023 to February 2024, which received over 400 responses.
  • Targeted engagement with parents and carers.

Advisory Panel

An expert 14-member Early Years Strategy Advisory Panel was established to provide advice to Government to inform the development of the Strategy. Members of the Advisory Panel work collaboratively to share their insights and expertise on how to best support children and families in the early years.

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    If you have any other queries, contact us at earlyyearsengagement@dss.gov.au.

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