With less than two weeks to go until the federal election, the Centre for Policy Development (CPD) is urging all parties to commit to comprehensive reform of Australia’s early education and care system, warning that partial solutions will not deliver lasting improvements.
CPD welcomes the commitment and focus on improving the system, and commends the government, opposition, Greens and Independents for putting early childhood education and care firmly on the agenda. For the sake of Australian children and families, it is crucial that—regardless of the election outcome—affordability, accessibility, and quality remain core priorities.
Recent measures such as improved pay for educators and fee-free TAFE courses are important steps towards addressing workforce issues, and we are glad to see bipartisan support for initiatives like the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund, which aims to expand access to early learning services in rural and remote areas.
CPD strongly supported the 3 Day Guarantee Act and its removal of the activity test for up to 72 hours per week. The test has long prevented access for children in households with casual or unpredictable employment, low incomes, or other vulnerabilities, and it has no place in a future universal system.
CPD also welcomed comments made during last night’s leaders’ debate, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that one of his big policy ambitions is creating universal early childhood education and care in Australia. CPD agrees that this should be a national ambition—and one that requires a sustained, non-partisan commitment from all sides of politics.
Centre for Policy Development CEO Andrew Hudson stressed that it was crucial that these measures were taken forward into the next government.
“Real progress demands that we tackle workforce shortages, expand services in regional and remote communities, and fundamentally reform funding—including removing barriers like the childcare activity test.”
“It’s encouraging to see bipartisan support for initiatives like the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund. But ensuring every child benefits means we must also address the system’s deep-seated inequities.”
“The evidence is clear: the activity test locks vulnerable children out of essential early learning. Reinstating it would undermine progress towards a fairer and more effective system. We strongly urge all parties to avoid reinstating measures that harm the very children who stand to benefit most.”
“Building an early childhood education system that truly serves all Australian families requires bold, comprehensive action—not picking and choosing reforms.”
