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The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a nationwide data collection of early childhood development.

The AEDC provides evidence to support health, education and community policy and planning. AEDC data highlights what is working well and what can be improved to support children and their families. AEDC data are collected every three years. The sixth collection took place in 2024.

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A child climbing on a playground.

Read the full 2024 AEDC National Report

The 2024 AEDC National Report is now available. It paints a picture of the early development of children in Australia, as measured through the latest AEDC data collection and across all the AEDC cycles.

A group of children sitting on the floor in a classroom.

Learn more about the AEDC and how it's conducted.

See what community impact organisations are making with AEDC data.

Access the Data Hub for publicly available data and information about applications and agreements.

Search a variety of helpful resources.


Who is the AEDC for?

 

Five children on a see-saw in a playground.

AEDC data can help identify how children’s development is supported in the community - what is working well and where there are gaps.

AEDC data can help early childhood educators shape their programs to enrich children’s development.

By taking part, families add to important knowledge for research and policy that helps to identify the needs of children, families and communities. Parents don’t need to provide any information, and children don’t lose any class time.

When children and families are supported, policymakers and governments build a better future for their communities.

The AEDC provides researchers with robust data about children’s development and can be accessed in de-identified formats and through data linkage.

The AEDC provides schools with data about children’s development, to help strategic and quality improvement planning.

AEDC in action

Longreach State School (QLD)

The remote farming community of Longreach lies in central west Queensland. AEDC results showed an improvement in the proportion of children who were developmentally vulnerable in language and cognitive skills. To continue this, the principal met with the town’s two kindergarten and childcare services, to form a partnership agreement.

Three children playing in a playground with an educator.

A focus on supported playgroups (SA)

AEDC results showed that the trend of higher than average developmental vulnerability had worsened across the Wakefield community. This prompted the Lower Mid North Education Partnership cluster of government preschools and schools to join together on a new multi-faceted project.

A close up of a child's hand playing with a toy.

AEDC data for research

The AEDC provides researchers with robust data about children’s development and can be accessed in de-identified formats and through data linkage. See examples of projects that have used AEDC data.

School Stories

Access School Stories to see how other schools across Australia have used AEDC data to improve outcomes for students.

Keep up to date with the AEDC

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Last updated: 8 December 2025