The latest report card into the wellbeing of children in Australia by UNICEF and the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) has reinforced the need for a Commonwealth Early Years Strategy to improve outcomes for young children.
The Wellbeing of Australia’s Children report offers insights into how Australian children are faring across all aspects of wellbeing and how this is changing.
The report found that while children are doing well in most areas, there are some growing areas of concern, and that the key to enhancing the wellbeing of children in Australia lies in addressing the main drivers of inequitable outcomes.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth who visited Strathfield for the report’s launch said its findings reinforce the Government’s approach to children’s wellbeing, starting with a focus on their earliest years through the Early Years Strategy.
“We are introducing the Early Years Strategy, which will focus on our children’s foundational early years from zero to five, to optimise their lifetime wellbeing and counter factors detrimental to their wellbeing across many areas,” Minister Rishworth said.
Today’s release of the Wellbeing of Australia’s Children report follows the successful National Early Years Strategy Summit held in February in Canberra.
A summary of the Summit, which brought together over 100 delegates, was also publicly released today.
Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly said that the Albanese Government is charting a course to deliver the best possible outcomes for Australian children.
“If we get those vital first five years right, we’re able to change the trajectory of a child’s life,” Dr Aly said.
Chair of Parliamentary Friends of UNICEF and Member for Reid Sally Sitou said, “it’s important that all children, regardless of their background, receive the support they need especially in those first five years of life”
“Access to good quality early education is the key to setting our children up for success, that’s why I’m so excited by the Labor Government’s investment in providing more affordable early education”.
Public submissions are open on the development of the Early Years Strategy until 30 April 2023. To access the discussion paper, make a submission, or explore other opportunities to contribute to the consultation process, visit the DSS Engage website.
To read or download the Wellbeing of Australia’s Children report, visit the UNICEF Australia website.
The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
Minister for Social Services
Member for Kingston
The Hon Dr Anne Aly MP
Minister for Early Childhood Education
Minister for Youth
Member for Cowan
Sally Sitou MP
Chair of Parliamentary Friends of UNICEF
Member for Reid
