Research snapshots
Research snapshot
Early Developmental Outcomes of Australian Children From Diverse Language Backgrounds at School Entry
This research snapshot reports on outcomes of bilingual students in Australia across major domains of early childhood functioning.
Research snapshot
Pathways Through School for Children With Additional Needs
This research snapshot presents a conceptual model developed to help understand the impact of additional needs on early school functioning.
Research snapshot
English Proficiency at School Entry for Bilingual Children
This research explores the relationship between English language skills at school entry and attendance at different types of early childhood education and care settings, like preschool and day care centres.
Research snapshot
Early Childhood Development and Mental Health Outcomes
Optimal development during early childhood plays a key role in long-term mental health and social-emotional wellbeing.
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
Westfield Park Primary School (WA)
Westfield Park Primary School serves a highly transient community in Perth’s south-east.
School story
Ashdale Cluster Attends the AEDC National Conference (WA)
Along with ten other WA school leaders and teachers, four Deputy Principals were selected to attend the AEDC National Conference to learn about what is having an impact on early years’ outcomes.
School story
Longreach State School (QLD)
The remote farming community of Longreach lies in central west Queensland.
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.
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.
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.