Research snapshots
Research snapshot
Perinatal Predictors of Child Development
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare defines the perinatal period as the time between the end of the 20th week of pregnancy and the 28th day after birth. Perinatal data are routinely collected in each Australian state and territory though there is some variation in the data collected between jurisdictions. This research snapshot looks at these issues in further detail.
Research snapshot
Investigating and Accessing Funding
This guideline is a resource to support AEDC stakeholders in communities to seek out and apply for funding. Some communities may require short term funding to enable them to establish a program or drive collaboration. The information contained within this guideline is designed to support the exploration of alternative funding options to enable these responses to the AEDC that cannot be funded within existing budgets, and to provide some useful strategies around formulating successful applications.
Research snapshot
Early Childhood Education and Care and the Transition to School
Starting school is a significant milestone in a child’s life. The success of this transition can have lasting implications for their academic and occupational success. In Australia, more than 20 per cent of children entering school experience some developmental vulnerability such as difficulties in social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills, or communication skills and general knowledge. This research snapshot looks at these issues in further detail.
Fact sheets
Fact sheet
Supporting children to develop emotional maturity
This fact sheet outlines how adults can support children’s development of emotional maturity.
Fact sheet
Understanding the Multiple Strength Indicator
This fact sheet provides information about the Multiple Strength Indicator (MSI), a summary indicator which reports on children's strengths as they start full-time school.
Fact sheet
Supporting children to develop physical health and wellbeing
This fact sheet outlines how adults can support children’s development of physical health and wellbeing.
Fact sheet
Supporting children to develop communication skills and general knowledge
This fact sheet outlines how adults can support children’s development of communication skills and general knowledge.
Reports
Report
2021 AEDC Data Collection Technical Report
This report documents the technical aspects of the 2021 AEDC Data Collection, with a particular emphasis on the documentation of processes, workflows and response dynamics.
Report
2018 AEDC Data Collection Technical Report
This report sets out to document the technical aspects of the 2018 AEDC Data Collection, with a particular emphasis on the documentation of processes, workflows and response dynamics.
Report
Technical Report: Exploring Two New Indices for the AEDC Program
There has been significant interest in the concept of identifying children or communities with ‘strengths’ in child development, and whether certain items from the AvEDI could be used for this purpose.
Report
AEDC 2012 Summary Report
This publication provides the summary results from the 2012 Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) data collection, including comparative data from the 2009 and 2012 collections.
Community stories
Community story
Communities Leading Positive Change (QLD)
Queensland communities, Rocklea-Acacia Ridge, Deception Bay and Jondaryan have experienced a significant shift in AEDC data between 2009 and 2018. Throughout this time, all three communities have faced complex community factors and contextual challenges.
Community story
A Good Start In Life (ACT)
Belconnen is a large region in Canberra’s northwest. There was a significant increase in children developmentally vulnerable on two or more domains between 2012 and 2018, highlighting the need for further support.
Community story
Deception Bay (QLD)
The coastal community of Deception Bay is in the Moreton Bay region, approximately 32 kilometres north of Brisbane. AEDC data shows that the level of developmental vulnerability has decreased significantly across all cycles.
Community story
KIDDO: A Physical Literacy Program (WA)
Since 2009 nearly 20% of children starting their first year of full-time school have been identified as developmentally at risk or vulnerable on the physical health and wellbeing domain.
School stories
School story
Ringarooma Primary School (TAS)
Play-based movement improves gross motor and language skills.
School story
Bass Valley Primary (VIC)
Bass Valley Primary School is in a rural farming area in Gippsland’s Bass Coast community, about 110 kms south-east of Melbourne.
School story
Duncraig Primary School (WA)
Duncraig Primary School is an independent public primary school in Perth’s northern suburbs.
Data stories
Data story
School-based Language and Cognitive Skills: AEDC 2021 Data Story
This data story explores the AEDC language and cognitive skills (school-based) domain.
Data story
National Trends in Child Development: AEDC 2021 Data Story
This data story provides an overview of the first five AEDC collections (2009–2021).
Data story
How Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Children?: AEDC 2021 Data Story
This data story explores the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian children.
Data story
How Can We Improve Equity in Early Childhood?: AEDC 2021 Data Story
This data story explores inequities in children’s development related to social, economic and geographic factors.
Videos
Instrument questions
Instrument questions
2024 Early Development Instrument Questions
The questions and response criteria from the 2024 Early Development Instrument.
Instrument questions
2021 Early Development Instrument Questions
The questions and response criteria from the 2021 Early Development Instrument.
Instrument questions
2018 Early Development Instrument Questions
The questions and response criteria from the 2018 Early Development Instrument.
Instrument questions
2012 Early Development Instrument Questions
This guide contains the questions used in the Australian version of the Early Development Instrument for the 2012 collection.
Technical resources
Technical resources
AEDC SEIFA Reference Tables
These reference tables document outline SEIFA communities and local communities.
Technical resources
AEDC Data Dictionary Reference Tables
These reference tables accompany the AEDC Data Dictionary.
Technical resources
AEDC 2025 Data Dictionary
This Data Dictionary provides a complete reference to the variables contained in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC).
Technical resources
Critical Difference Calculator Tool
This tool calculates whether the difference in the % of children who are vulnerable, at risk or on track between two waves of AEDC data is significant.
National reports
National report
2024 AEDC National Report
The 2024 AEDC National Report outlines the results for the 2024 collection and trends over time. The 2024 collection is the sixth AEDC collection to take place since it's beginning in 2009.
National report
2021 AEDC National Report
The national report from the 2021 collection. The 2021 AEDC data shows the majority of children were identified as ‘developmentally on track’ for each of the five AEDC domains.
National report
2009 National Report
The national report from the very first collection in 2009.
Forms
Form
Research Snapshot Template
Template for creation for research snapshots for publication on the AEDC website.
Form
Publication Submission Checklist
This checklist is for Data Users to complete prior to submitting their publication to the Data Management Agency for review.
Technical resources
Critical Difference Calculator Tool
This tool calculates whether the difference in the % of children who are vulnerable, at risk or on track between two waves of AEDC data is significant.
Form
Data Application Checklist
This checklist will help data applicants ensure they have provided all the relevant information for a successful application.
User guides
User guide
User Guide: Early Childhood Services and Schools
This guide leads early childhood services and schools through the steps they might take when thinking about how to respond to AEDC data.
User guide
User Guide: Local Government
This guide leads local government through the steps they might take when thinking about how to respond to AEDC data.
User guide
User Guide: Community Service Organisations
This guide leads community service organisations through the steps they might take when thinking about how to respond to AEDC data.
User guide
User Guide: Policy Makers and Government Executive
This guide leads policy makers through the steps they might take when thinking about how to respond to AEDC data.