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Trends from the Australian Early Development Census

The Australian Early Development Census is a measure of young children’s development in their first year of full-time school.

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Results from 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2021 and 2024 data collections

The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a measure of young children’s development in their first year of full-time school and is collected by teachers across all school sectors.

The sixth wave of AEDC was collected in 2024, the first in 2009.

The AEDC data shows us how well children are faring and monitors developmental vulnerability over time. We can unpack these results with communities to understand what may be driving change.

You can download a summary of the results.

Victorian trends from the AEDC PDF 624.63 KB (opens in a new window)

Victorian trends from the AEDC - Accessible version Word 137.79 KB (opens in a new window)

More than 67,000 children participated in the AEDC in Victoria in 2024.

Over 288,000 children participated in the AEDC in Australia in 2024.

AEDC domains

The AEDC domains are:

In 2024 in Victoria, the highest developmental vulnerability was in social competence, and the lowest development vulnerability was in language and cognitive skills.

Physical health and wellbeing

Overall, developmental vulnerability in Physical Health and Wellbeing increased between 2009 and 2024.

Social competence

Overall, developmental vulnerability in Social Competence increased between 2009 and 2024.

Language and cognitive skills

Overall, developmental vulnerability in Language and Cognitive Skills has increased between 2009 and 2024.

There has not been significant change since 2021.

Emotional maturity

Developmental vulnerability in Emotional Maturity has fluctuated between 2009 and 2024. There was significant increase in vulnerability between 2021 and 2024.

Communication skills and general knowledge

Overall, developmental vulnerability in Communication Skills and General Knowledge remained steady between 2009 and 2021, but increased in 2024.

Vulnerability on two or more domains

Children in Victoria had overall lower developmental vulnerability on two or more domains compared to the rest of Australia.

Overall, developmental vulnerability has increased between 2009 and 2024.

About 1 in 10 children were developmentally vulnerable on two or more domains in 2024.

Vulnerability on one or more domains

Children in Victoria had overall lower developmental vulnerability on one or more domains compared to the rest of Australia.

Overall, developmental vulnerability on one or more domains remained steady between 2009 and 2021, however it increased significantly between 2021 and 2024.

About 1 in 5 children were developmentally vulnerable on one or more domains in 2024.

Education & training

Updated 26 March 2026

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