ACT records sharp rise in child developmental vulnerability

The latest Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) has revealed a significant rise in developmental vulnerability among children in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), raising urgent concerns from early childhood advocates, sector leaders and policymakers alike.

According to the 2024 AEDC data, 28.1 per cent of children in the ACT are developmentally vulnerable on one or more domains, up from 26.7 per cent in 2021. Even more concerning, 14.9 per cent are vulnerable on two or more domains, an increase from 13.3 per cent. These results place the ACT as the second worst performing jurisdiction in Australia, behind only the Northern Territory.

The AEDC measures vulnerability across five key domains of early development: physical health and wellbeing, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills, and communication skills and general knowledge. The most significant increase in the ACT was in the domain of communication and general knowledge, signalling potential future challenges in learning and school readiness.

Rebecca Zappelli, Executive Director of Families ACT, said the results are disappointing but not unexpected. “It is well known that rates of childhood vulnerability in the ACT have been increasing since 2015,” she said. “We haven’t addressed the structural reforms needed in Canberra and the region reforms that have shown success in other jurisdictions, including internationally.”

Just 43.8 per cent of children in the ACT are currently on track across all five developmental domains, well below the national average of 52.9 per cent.

These results come on the heels of the inaugural Child First Forum, which brought together 38 organisations from across Canberra’s child and family services sector. The forum identified several systemic challenges, including underfunding, fragmented service systems, staff burnout and workforce shortages.

According to the forum report, existing funding does not match the scale or complexity of need experienced by children, youth and families in the ACT. The report criticised short-term, compliance-heavy funding models that inhibit long-term planning and innovation, particularly in the early years.

The forum also identified entrenched poverty, housing instability, domestic and family violence, mental health concerns and substance use as compounding factors in child vulnerability. An overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children was highlighted, along with the urgent need for culturally safe and tailored support systems.

The forum identified five enablers of change to address rising vulnerability rates:

1. Establishing data-sharing agreements
2. Building a core cross-sector leadership group
3. Promoting genuine collaboration across government and community
4. Securing sustainable funding and capital investment
5. Strengthening legislative frameworks to ensure accountability and action

Forum participants called for strong ministerial support and a whole-of-government strategy, supported by legislation that goes beyond aspiration to enforce reform and track progress.

Ms Zappelli specifically urged the ACT Government to review and strengthen its early years strategy, Best Start for Canberra’s Children: The First 1000 Days. “We need a cross-portfolio approach led by the Chief Minister,” she said, “to address entrenched drivers of vulnerability and promote protective factors from the earliest years.”

She emphasised the importance of ensuring all children have access to basic material needs, affordable food, housing and healthcare, as well as high-quality early learning.

An ACT Government spokesperson acknowledged the report’s findings, stating: “These results are deeply concerning and are a call for further action. A higher proportion of Australian children are starting school developmentally vulnerable, and the ACT reflects that national trend.”

The federal government has flagged childcare reform among its top priorities as the 48th Parliament reconvenes.  Early childhood leaders will be closely watching to ensure that reform pledges are matched by tangible progress, legislative action, funding, and accountability to support the youngest citizens where they need it most.

To read the original coverage of this story, as produced by Region Canberra, please see here