Counting on parents

The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a national census that builds a picture of the health and wellbeing of children as they start their first year of full-time school.

Every school with children in their first year of full-time school has a vital role to play in helping our nation collect the information it needs to support our children and their families as we recover from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 2009, communities, schools and governments across Australia have used results from the AEDC to help provide the right kinds of services, resources and support.

From May 2021, teachers will complete the Instrument (AvEDI) about children in their first year of full-time school.

AEDC results for individual children are not reported and individual children cannot be identified.

With the support of parents/carers and schools we can build a more complete picture of childhood development in Australia. If parents/carers consent to the collection of their child’s information they do not need to do anything. Parent/carers only need to contact the school if they do not consent to the collection of their child’s information.

To find out more about the census and how communities are using the data to help children and families visit the AEDC website www.aedc.gov.au