Research snapshots
Research snapshot
The Relationship Between Early Childhood Education and Care and Children's Development
A variety of Early Childhood Education and Care services are available in Australia, including preschool (sometimes called kindergarten), playgroup, and centre-based childcare.
Research snapshot
Taking a Strengths-based Approach to Child Development in the AEDC: the Multiple Strength Indicator
To better measure those children who have developmental strengths, this research sought to create a strength-based indicator from the Early Development Instrument that could be used within the AEDC program.
Research snapshot
Mental Health and Children's Early Learning
Early learning skills, like using language, problem solving and communication, help children to thrive and reach their full potential at school.
Research snapshot
Does Mental Health Competence Promote Children's Academic Achievement?
This study explored whether mental health competence at school entry leads to improved academic outcomes in year three, taking into account the other influences on children’s academic skills, such as family circumstances.
Fact sheets
Fact sheet
AEDC reports
This fact sheet gives an overview of different reports created from AEDC data. It explains what each report contains and how to access them.
Fact sheet
Using your school's AEDC data
Your school’s AEDC results capture the developmental strengths and vulnerabilities of children entering your school.
Fact sheet
AEDC Summary
This fact sheet outlines the AEDC, including what it is and how it is used to improve outcomes for children, families and communities.
Fact sheet
About the AEDC data collection
This resource provides information about how AEDC data is collected on children in Australia who are in their first year of full-time school.
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
Southside Initiative (ACT)
A group of dedicated stakeholders collaborate to improve child health and wellbeing.
Community story
Mid-Murray Family Connections (SA)
A collective of 60+ partners achieve improvements in children’s development.
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.