National Workforce Census registration deadlines approaching for ECEC services

Early childhood education and care providers across Australia are being reminded to register for the 2026 National Workforce Census, with deadlines approaching across all states and territories.

Early childhood education and care providers across Australia are being reminded to register for the 2026 National Workforce Census, with deadlines approaching across all states and territories.

The National Workforce Census is an important national data collection that provides a detailed picture of Australia’s early childhood education and care workforce.

Information collected through the census helps governments understand the availability, characteristics and distribution of the workforce and informs workforce planning, program design, policy development and reporting at national, state and territory levels. 

Participation is mandatory for all Child Care Subsidy-approved providers and services as a condition of their approval under Family Assistance Law. State and territory-run preschools and kindergartens are also encouraged to participate to help ensure the census reflects the broader early childhood sector. 

Registration closes on Sunday, 27 September 2026 for services in:

• Victoria
• Queensland
• South Australia
• New South Wales
• the Australian Capital Territory
• the Northern Territory.

Services located in Tasmania and Western Australia have until Sunday, 4 October 2026 to register.

Providers are encouraged to begin the process early rather than waiting until the closing date, particularly where service or workforce information may need to be checked or updated.

The Social Research Centre, which is conducting the census in partnership with the Australian Government Department of Education, has emailed login details directly to participating services.

The email contains the service’s username, password and information about accessing the census portal.

Services that have not located their email should check their inbox as well as their spam or junk folders.

The census process includes three stages:

• registering for the census
• reviewing and preparing workforce data
• completing the census. 

Starting early gives providers time to confirm their login details, review the information required and resolve any access issues before the deadline.

The National Workforce Census provides governments with evidence about the size, structure and distribution of Australia’s ECEC workforce.

The findings can help inform decisions relating to workforce supply, qualifications, employment patterns, professional development and future workforce initiatives.

Accurate participation is particularly important at a time when providers across Australia continue to navigate recruitment, retention and workforce sustainability challenges.

By completing the census, services help ensure future policy and workforce planning are based on an accurate understanding of the people working across Centre Based Day Care, Outside School Hours Care, Family Day Care and In Home Care settings.

Services requiring help with registration, login details or completing the census can contact the National Workforce Census team.

The helpline is available on 1800 800 996 between 9 am and 5 pm AEST, Monday to Friday.

Services can also email [email protected] for assistance. 

Further information, preparation resources, privacy notices and a registration tutorial are available through the Social Research Centre’s National Workforce Census project page.

Services are encouraged to register before the relevant deadline and begin reviewing the information they will need to complete the census.

Visit the Social Research Centre website for further information and updates.