Early Years Strategy

The Australian Government has developed an Early Years Strategy. It sets out the government’s vision to best support Australia’s children and their families in the early years.

On this page:

About the strategy

The Early Years Strategy 2024–2034 sets out the government’s vision that all children in Australia thrive in their early years.

The strategy recognises how critical the early years are for setting children up for lifelong success. It outlines how, over the next 10 years, the government will:

  • prioritise and support child-centred policy development
  • target investment in early years supports and services.

The strategy has 4 priority focus areas:  

  • value the early years
  • empower parents, caregivers and families
  • support and work with communities
  • strengthen accountability and coordination.

The government consulted widely to develop the strategy. It is informed by the views of:

  • children, parents and families
  • early childhood providers, services and educators
  • academics
  • peak organisations.

Visit the Department of Social Services (DSS) website to learn more about how the strategy was developed.

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

The Early Years Strategy First Action Plan and Outcomes Framework were released on 20 December 2024.

Read the strategy

Read the Early Years Strategy on the DSS website