Australian Early Development Census (AEDC)

The AEDC gives educators a common language to identify strengths and areas for support, both within their service and across the community, to help children thrive in the early years.

This evidence can inform policy and practice in early childhood education.

The five AEDC domains show, at a community level, children’s learning and development needs.

AEDC Domains

The AEDC can also provide insight into children’s future development and learning and where additional support may be beneficial.

The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) provides a snapshot of how children are developing as they start school, helping communities support children and families to thrive.

What does the AEDC measure?

The AEDC measures children’s development across five key domains:

Physical health and wellbeing – Growing Strong every day

Try this:

• Walk, ride or play outside together
• Encourage healthy meals or snacks
• Practise skills like throwing, catching and climbing

Social competence – Learning to Connect

Try this:

• Play games that involve taking turns
• Encourage your child to help with simple jobs
• Model kindness and respect

Emotional maturity – Feelings and caring

Try this:

• Name emotions together
• Talk about feelings during story time
• Celebrate efforts

Language and cognitive skills (school-based) – Everyday learning counts

Try this:

• Read together every day
• Count items whilst shopping
• Play rhyming and word games

[Flip side Communication Skills and General Knowledge]

Communication skills and general knowledge – Everyday learning counts

Try this:

• Encourage imaginative play
• Explore nature together
• Cook and chat about different cultures

Does the AEDC assess my child?

• The AEDC is completed by teachers based on their observations.
• It is not a test for children.
• Individual child results are not reported.
• Data is combined and reported at community, state and national levels.

How can families support their child’s development?

• Reading together
• Playing and talking every day
• Building healthy routines
• Encouraging social and emotional skills
• Connecting with local services and supports

Download the latest AEDC reports

• 2024 AEDC National Report
• 2024 AEDC Tasmanian Report
• Visit the Australian Early Development Census website to access a range of resources for Early Childhood Education and Care services (ECEC), communities and schools.

Supporting Communities and Schools

The AEDC Tasmanian Grants provide funding for local initiatives that support children and families during the vital early years of development.

These grants are designed to build on what’s already working well in communities but also meet the needs of children with ‘developmental vulnerability’ within the local community.

Funded programs help turn AEDC data into meaningful action by:

• Supporting children’s learning, health and wellbeing
• Strengthening community‑based early years responses
• Raising awareness of the AEDC among early years professionals
• Increasing the use of AEDC data to inform planning and practice

2026-27 AEDC Grant Recipients

We are pleased to congratulate the nine organisations awarded funding through the 2026-27 AEDC Grants Program:

• Emerge Allied Health
• Windermere Primary School
• Clarendon Vale Primary School
• Siblings Australia
• Carlton Street Child Care
• Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
• Swansea Primary School
• JRLF Herdsmans Cove Primary School
• Tasmanian Catholic Education Office

These projects will support children, families and communities across Tasmania over the next 12 months.

Congratulations to all recipients and thank you for your commitment to supporting Tasmania’s children and families.

Find out more about the AEDC at the Australian Government AEDC website.

For further information about the AEDC visit Home | Australian Early Development Census (AEDC)