The Productivity Commission is conducting an inquiry into Australia’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) system.
On this page:
Productivity Commission final report released
The Productivity Commission has now released their final report: A path to universal early childhood education and care.
The report considers how to build a universal early learning system that is:
- affordable
- accessible
- inclusive
- high quality.
It says every child should be able to access at least 30 hours of high-quality early education and care by 2036.
Over coming months, the government will consider the report’s findings and recommendations, alongside those of the recent Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) inquiry.
About the inquiry
On 9 February 2023, the Australian Government tasked the Productivity Commission to conduct an inquiry into Australia’s ECEC system.
The draft report was delivered on 23 November 2023.
The final inquiry report was handed to government on 28 June 2024.
The release of the final report by the government is the final step in the process. The government must table the report within 25 sitting days of receipt
The government appointed Professor Emerita Deborah Brennan AM as an Associate Commissioner to assist with the inquiry. Professor Brennan worked with Commissioners Martin Stokie and Lisa Gropp on the inquiry.
The inquiry considered options that improve or support:
- affordable and quality ECEC services
- developmental and educational outcomes for children
- economic growth, including by enabling workforce participation
- outcomes for children and families experiencing vulnerability and/or disadvantage, First Nations children and families, and children and families experiencing disability
- efficient and effective government investment in ECEC.
On the Productivity Commission website, you will find:
- the draft report
- terms of reference
- opportunities to participate in consultation
- submissions, including the Department of Education’s submission
- timelines
- contact information.