Government joins forces with philanthropic partners to raise $100m to expand ECEC in areas of need

The Albanese Government has confirmed it will co-invest with a group of leading Australian charitable foundations acting through The Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children (IDAC) to build or expand integrated and holistic early learning services in areas of need.

An investment of $50 million, sourced from the Building Early Education Fund (BEEF), will sit alongside another $50 million of in-principle funding provided through the IDAC platform from a number of organisations including The Paul Ramsey Foundation, the Minderoo Foundation and The Bryan Foundation. 

“This is an exciting moment for IDAC, where ambitious discussions and significant commitments are being transformed into a record co-investment that will deliver tangible benefits for children and families,” IDAC Executive Convenor Simon Factor said. 

IDAC was founded in 2022 and appointed ARACY – Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth as its convener to help coordinate the interactions and engagement between IDAC and its government, philanthropic and community partners.

The proceeds of the collaborations will be targeted at bringing together early learning, child and maternal health services, and family and community support and initiatives that strengthen a holistic early childhood development system, such as measures to strengthen the not-for-profit sector’s capacity as well as research and evaluation.

“This investment isn’t just good for children, it gives parents and carers the choice to return to work or study earlier if they want to – helping families earn more and keep more of what they earn,”  Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said. 

“We’re strengthening local communities by ensuring that Government and philanthropy work together to maximise our efforts and deliver for disadvantaged communities,” Dr Anne Aly, Minister for Early Childhood added. 

Learn more about IDAC here.