The Albanese Government and the Investment Dialogue for Australia's Children (IDAC) will partner to build supply and capacity of integrated early years services.
The Albanese Government will provide up to $50 million through the Build Early Education Fund, toward co-investment opportunities to help build or expand integrated and holistic early learning services in areas of need.
Philanthropic partners of IDAC have also committed to up to $50 million in-principle funding, to bring together early learning, child and maternal health services, and family and community supports.
Philanthropic funding will also be targeted towards 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.
The partnership represents one of the biggest co-investments between government and philanthropy in Australian history.
IDAC is a flagship collaboration between the Government and philanthropic organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of children, young people, and their families.
This co-investment is the next major step in translating commitments made at the 2024 IDAC Roundtable into action.
The partnership also builds on the significant reforms the Albanese Government is delivering across the early childhood education and care sector, ensuring children and families have universal access to high-quality early learning.
To learn more about these reforms visit education.gov.au/early-childhood/announcements/building-universal-early-education-and-care-system
Quotes attributable to Treasurer Jim Chalmers:
"The transformational power of education begins with quality early childhood education and care.
"Every child has a right to early education no matter their background or where they live, and this partnership is a milestone on our path to universal education and care.
"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."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth:
"The first years of a child's life are vitally important to their wellbeing, education and development.
"This partnership builds on the successes of IDAC and continues to enliven community-led solutions to meet the aspirations of communities, families and their children.
"It is another example of the Government working together with community and philanthropy to find solutions that are led by and are meaningful for the families and children who will most benefit."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Dr Anne Aly:
"We're strengthening local communities by ensuring that Government and philanthropy work together to maximise our efforts and deliver for disadvantaged communities.
"The Albanese Labor Government is laying the foundations for a truly universal early childhood education system through improving affordability, boosting supply, increasing accessibility and securing the vital workforce families rely on.
"No child should have to carry disadvantage through their life - we know that by investing in the early years we can change the trajectory of a child's life and improve their education and health outcomes."
Quotes attributable to Paul Ramsay Foundation CEO Professor Kristy Muir:
"This is a major step towards an Australia where every child has what they need to thrive in the first critical years of life.
"Through these co-investments, we're creating the conditions needed for kids and families to have experiences in the early years that set them up for life."
Quotes attributable to Minderoo Foundation CEO John Hartman:
"Minderoo Foundation is proud to be part of a collaborative effort with the Federal Government and other philanthropies to empower communities to break cycles of adversity by tackling issues at their root causes.
"The most effective way to create sustainable change is to provide the resources and capability that communities need to be able to lead the way and providing infrastructure that brings services together and benefits the whole community.
"This commitment by government and philanthropy will help build a fair future for Australian children and families."
Quotes attributable to The Bryan Foundation Executive Director Matthew Cox:
"When we look to the services and supports other OECD countries have established to support their children we see highly integrated early learning, child and maternal health and family support services under the one roof providing all the help that families need.
"This partnership will enable us to put more of these kinds of joined-up services on the ground and begin to plan for how to do this at scale."
Quotes attributable to Investment Dialogue for Australia's Children Executive Convenor Simon Factor:
"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.
"This partnership represents a crucial step in building the early childhood development system of the future - one that is integrated, sustainable, and focused on delivering the best outcomes for all Australian children."
