AEDC data collection is now underway

The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a nationwide census of early childhood development which takes place every three years. 

The national data collection examines how young children have developed by the time they start school and provides evidence to support health, education, community services with data to develop and refine policy and planning for children.

Collection for the 2025 AEDC takes place from 1 May 2024 to 31 July 2024, with teachers of children in their first year of school completing the AEDC for children in their class.

Teachers answer questions that measure early childhood development across five key areas, referred to as domains, namely:

• physical health and wellbeing
• social competence
• emotional maturity
• language and cognitive skills (school based)
• communication skills and general knowledge.

The 2024 AEDC National results will be published in 2025. For early childhood educators, the AEDC data can be a useful predictor of future development and learning. Alongside other data sources, the AEDC data can help educators to:

• discover how well early childhood programs are preparing children for school
• develop target resources and services to support children’s and families’ wellbeing.

Visit the AEDC website to learn more.