Improving preschool attendance

The Morrison Government will provide more than $440 million to states and territories for preschool in 2019 under the National Partnership on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education, paid for by our plan for a stronger economy. 

The extension of the National Partnership will ensure almost 350,000 children in Australia have access to 15 hours of quality early learning a week, or 600 hours a year, in the year before school. 

Every state and territory has now signed up to the extension of the National Partnership to continue to deliver universal access to preschool throughout 2019. 

Minister for Education Dan Tehan said we want to ensure that all children receive the benefits that a preschool education has to offer. 

“Early learning is vital for children to get the best start to life and school,” Mr Tehan said. 

“Our Government’s National Partnership arrangements have driven significant improvements in preschool enrolment rates around the country – benefiting millions of children and families over this time. 

“The Morrison Government’s priority is working with the states and territories on future arrangements that will focus on lifting preschool participation rates, especially for disadvantaged and Indigenous children.” 

The most current national data shows 30 per cent of children are not attending for the 15 hours on offer. This increases to 35 per cent for vulnerable and disadvantaged children, and up to 41 per cent for Indigenous children. 

“The Morrison Government will work to ensure that our children enrolled in preschool actually attend preschool. 

“Only our Government believes that what a student achieves is as important as how much money you spend,” Mr Tehan said. 

More details on the National Partnership can be found at https://www.education.gov.au/universal- access-early-childhood-education