What is the AEDC?
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.
Teachers of children in their first year of full-time school complete a questionnaire that collects data on five key areas, or ‘domains’, of early childhood development. These domains have been shown to predict later mental health, wellbeing and academic outcomes.
Find out more about the AEDC
Our partners
Since 2002, the Australian Government has worked in partnership with eminent child health research institutes, the Centre for Community Child Health at The Royal Children’s Hospital and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, and The Kids Research Institute Australia to deliver the Australian Early Development Census program to communities nationwide.
The Australian Government continues to work with its partners, and with state and territory governments to implement the AEDC.