Starting Better Guarantee gains momentum as early childhood reform agenda progresses

A national reform agenda aimed at simplifying Australia’s early childhood system and improving outcomes for children and families is gaining traction, with new updates highlighting growing alignment across governments and the sector.

Australia is presented with a significant opportunity to reshape early childhood education and care (ECEC), ensuring every child can access the support needed to thrive.

Work led by the Centre for Policy Development (CPD) through its Starting Better initiative continues to build the case for a national Guarantee for Young Children and Families. The proposed Guarantee sets out a long-term reform agenda to address system fragmentation, strengthen support for families, and expand access to high-quality early learning.

Recent updates from CPD indicate that momentum is building, with increased collaboration across jurisdictions and stronger recognition of early childhood as a policy priority.

The Starting Better Guarantee proposes a new national framework centred on the needs of children and families, replacing complex and fragmented arrangements with a more coherent system.

Key elements include:

• three days of free or low-cost early education from birth to school age
• expanded paid parental leave, shared between partners
• up to 25 maternal and child health nurse visits

Together, these measures aim to provide consistent, accessible support across the early years, reducing barriers created by current funding models and eligibility requirements.

Australia’s early childhood system remains complex and uneven, with access and affordability continuing to vary across communities.

Developmental data shows a proportion of children start school behind their peers, while many families experience difficulty navigating available supports.

CPD argues that a national Guarantee would deliver multiple benefits:

• improved developmental outcomes for children
• greater workforce participation and work–life balance for families
• more stable and rewarding career pathways for educators

Economic modelling suggests the reforms could become cost-neutral by 2030 and deliver long-term economic gains.

The latest update highlights several areas of progress.

• Stronger national collaboration -The Early Childhood Development Council has supported coordination across jurisdictions, bringing together government representatives and sector experts to guide reform design.

• Recognition of early childhood as economic infrastructure - Early childhood policy is increasingly framed as an investment in productivity, workforce participation and long-term social outcomes.

• Alignment across jurisdictions - States and territories are expanding preschool access, strengthening health supports and exploring integrated service delivery models aligned with the Guarantee’s objectives.

• Growing appetite for reform- Cost-of-living pressures, workforce challenges and increased awareness of early development have contributed to broader support for system change.

While progress is evident, delivering the full Guarantee will require sustained national commitment over the coming decade.

Priority areas include:

• embedding the Guarantee within national agreements to ensure consistent funding and accountability
• expanding integrated child and family hubs, particularly in communities experiencing disadvantage
• strengthening the ECEC workforce through improved conditions, career pathways and remuneration
• ensuring equitable access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, culturally diverse families, and those in rural and remote areas

The Starting Better Guarantee positions early childhood as a foundational policy area, with implications for education, health and economic participation.

The direction of reform is becoming clearer, with increasing alignment across policy settings and growing recognition of the importance of coordinated early years support.

Delivering a more integrated and equitable system will take time, but current progress suggests a shift towards a model that better supports children, families and educators across Australia.

Read the full Centre for Policy Development update on the Starting Better Guarantee for Young Children and Families here.