CPD’s submission to the Senate inquiry into the quality and safety of Australia’s early childhood education and care system emphasises that a universal system, where all children can be supported to thrive, is the best way to ensure a high-quality, affordable system that puts the needs of children first. It proposes a long-term vision with 10 key reform elements that can support the creation of a high-quality universal early learning system.
CPD’s submission on the quality and safety of the early learning system proposes a long-term vision with 10 key reform elements that can support the creation of a high-quality universal system.
The inquiry was established in August 2025 by the Senate’s Education and Employment References Committee. It is examining the regulatory framework; the adequacy, implementation, and enforcement of child safety standards; the workforce conditions that may impact standards; and the ability of the current funding model to support quality and safety.
To create a truly universal high-quality system for all children requires systemic reform across all system levers. This submission proposes a long-term vision with 10 key reform elements, including:
The market-based ECEC system, currently underpinned by a childcare subsidy that does little to promote quality or affordability for parents, is failing to deliver the kind of education and care all children deserve. This is evident in declining child development trends, declining rates of services ‘exceeding’ standards, and the lack of access to services, particularly for those on lower incomes or living in regional and rural areas.
We urge the Senate Select Committee to recognise the need to form a long-term vision that will create sustainable and lasting reform, rather than just making tweaks to the current system. Such a vision has the potential to alleviate family cost-of-living burdens, foster gender equality and improve workforce participation, and boost the economy in the long run. More importantly though, a universal, high-quality system will have the greatest chance at not only delivering the best education and care to our children, but supporting them to thrive for the rest of their life.
