We surveyed more than 18,000 early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, including more than 2,000 dedicated preschools.
The National Workforce Census (NWC) is the only national census of its type in Australia. The NWC aims to improve the quality of information used in developing and measuring early childhood policy and programs. This data helps inform government policies and programs.
The 2024 NWC follows on from censuses undertaken in 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2021.
The census achieved a 97.4% response rate across CCS approved services which includes:
- Centre Based Day Care (CBDC)
- Outside School Hours Care (OSHC)
- Vacation Care (VAC)
- Family Day Care (FDC)
- In Home Care (IHC) services.
Dedicated preschools (PRE) were invited to participate in the NWC but their participation was not mandatory.
We counted during the reference week:
- 1,491,240 children aged 0 to 12 years attending CCS services (CBDC, OSHC, VAC, FDC and IHC)
- 164,151 children attending dedicated preschools.
The 2024 NWC National Report gives a brief overview of some of the key data on ECEC services and workers, including:
- ECEC service characteristics
- Preschool programs
- ECEC workforce characteristics.
A report with more detailed tables of information will be published later in 2025.