National vision for early childhood education and care consultation

Date opened
Date closed

About the vision

Federal, state and territory education and early years ministers are developing a national long-term vision to drive future reform of early childhood education and care (ECEC).

The draft national vision recognises:

  • Quality ECEC has learning and development benefits for children in the most formative period of their lives. This can be especially significant for children from vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.
  • An affordable and accessible ECEC system supports parents to work and study, especially women. This in turn supports the Australian economy to grow and prosper.
  • The draft national vision covers all forms of ECEC, including preschool and all forms of child care.

Read the draft vision

Consultation

The draft national vision was available for public consultation from 17 March to 7 April 2023.

We received a significant number of submissions, which are being considered. As well, we are conducting further targeted consultations with representatives from First Nations communities.

Next steps

This feedback will inform next steps for the vision. We will publish a summary report of the feedback.  

  • Stakeholder consultation was open between 17 March and 7 April 2023.
  • National Cabinet expects to consider the vision in mid-2023.
  • Once agreed by National Cabinet, the vision will provide long-term direction to achieve a quality, accessible, affordable, and equitable ECEC sector.