content-left-bg.png
content-right-bg.png
Zone 0 WebPart Area
Zone 0 - (12)
WebPartZone0_1
Zone 0 - (3|3|3|3)
WebPartZone0_3x3x3x3_1
WebPartZone0_3x3x3x3_2
WebPartZone0_3x3x3x3_3
WebPartZone0_3x3x3x3_4
Zone 0 - (4|4|4)
WebPartZone0_4x4x4_1
WebPartZone0_4x4x4_2
WebPartZone0_4x4x4_3
Zone 0 - (8|4)
WebPartZone0_8x4_1
WebPartZone0_8x4_2
Zone 0 - (6|6)
WebPartZone0_6x6_1
WebPartZone0_6x6_2
Zone 0 - (4|8)
WebPartZone0_4x8_1
WebPartZone0_4x8_2
Zone 1 WebPart Area
Zone 1 - Publishing Page Content + Above/Below Content
WebPartZone1_1
PublishingPageContent

The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a nationwide census of early childhood development, captured as children transition into their first year of full-time school.

​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Australian Early Development Census: An Australian Government initiative  

​Conducted every 3 years, the AEDC is one of the most comprehensive early childhood data collections of its kind in the world. The information gained from the census helps to shape the future and wellbeing of our children by providing evidence to support education, health and community policy and planning.

2027 census

The 7th AEDC collection will take place in all Queensland schools from 27 April to 25 June 2027.

2024 key findings

The 6th national AEDC data collection took place in Queensland schools from 1 May to 21 June 2024.


WebPartZone1_2

More than 1,400 Queensland schools participated in the 6th national collection. The data is representative of over 62,000 children, or 98% of the Queensland 2024 Prep cohort.

The results indicate that:

  • just over half of all Queensland children are on track on all 5 domains
  • Queensland's results stand out nationally because we have maintained the proportion of children starting school developmentally on track
  • all jurisdictions except for Queensland saw a decrease in children on track on 5 domains (OT5). Comparatively, developmental vulnerability has also increased na​tionally
  • while developmental vulnerability in Queensland remains above the national average, the gap has narrowed.

Download the AEDC Queensland report 2024 for a summary of Queensland's 2024 AEDC data in context, or the AEDC Queensland infographic 2024 for a quick and accessible overview of the key findings.

For further information or assistance, email the Queensland AEDC team at aedc@qed.qld.gov.au.

Accessing 2024 data

Confidential AEDC 2024 school profile reports have been provided to all participating schools with 6 or more Prep student enrolments at the time of the census. The report contains school-level data as well as state and national data comparisons.

AEDC 2024 community-level data is available on the AEDC website.

For further information or assistance, email the Queensland AEDC team at aedc@qed.qld.gov.au.

What the AEDC data means for schools

The AEDC collection provides vital information for school planning and community collaboration to support children's early learning, development and transition to school.

The AEDC data can help schools to:

Access a collection of school resources and Queensland community stories to assist with understanding AEDC data and how it can be used.

About the AEDC

The AEDC is a nationwide data collection that occurs every 3 years.

The AEDC measures how children are developing as they transition into their first year of school based on 5 key areas known as 'domains'.​

Zone 1 - (12)
WebPartZone1_12
Zone 1 - (3|3|3|3)
WebPartZone1_3x3x3x3_1
WebPartZone1_3x3x3x3_2
WebPartZone1_3x3x3x3_3
WebPartZone1_3x3x3x3_4
Zone 1 - (4|4|4)
WebPartZone1_4x4x4_1
WebPartZone1_4x4x4_2
WebPartZone1_4x4x4_3
Zone 1 - (8|4)
WebPartZone1_8x4_1
WebPartZone1_8x4_2
Zone 1 - (6|6)
WebPartZone1_6x6_1
WebPartZone1_6x6_2
Zone 1 - (4|8)
WebPartZone1_4x8_1
WebPartZone1_4x8_2
Zone 2 WebPart Area
Zone 2 - (12)
WebPartZone2_12
Zone 2 - (3|3|3|3)
WebPartZone2_3x3x3x3_1
WebPartZone2_3x3x3x3_2
WebPartZone2_3x3x3x3_3
WebPartZone2_3x3x3x3_4
Zone 2 - (4|4|4)
WebPartZone2_4x4x4_1
Physical health and wellbeing

Physical health and wellbeing

Children's physical readiness for the school day, physical independence and gross and fine motor skills.

WebPartZone2_4x4x4_2
Social competence

Social competence

Children's overall social competence, responsibility and respect, approach to learning and readiness to explore new things.

WebPartZone2_4x4x4_3
Emotional maturity

Emotional maturity

Children's prosocial and helping behaviours and absence of anxious and fearful behaviour, aggressive behaviour, hyperactivity and inattention.

Zone 2 - (8|4)
WebPartZone2_8x4_1
WebPartZone2_8x4_2
Zone 2 - (6|6)
WebPartZone2_6x6_1
WebPartZone2_6x6_2
Zone 2 - (4|8)
WebPartZone2_4x8_1
WebPartZone2_4x8_2
Zone 3 WebPart Area
Zone 3 - (12)
WebPartZone3_12
Zone 3 - (3|3|3|3)
WebPartZone3_3x3x3x3_1
WebPartZone3_3x3x3x3_2
WebPartZone3_3x3x3x3_3
WebPartZone3_3x3x3x3_4
Zone 3 - (4|4|4)
WebPartZone3_4x4x4_1
Language and cognitive skills (school based)

Language and cognitive skills (school-based)

Children's basic literacy, interest in literacy, numeracy and memory, advanced literacy and basic numeracy.

WebPartZone3_4x4x4_2
Communication skills and general knowledge

Communication skills and general knowledge

Children's communication skills and general knowledge base on broad developmental competencies and skills measured in the school context.

WebPartZone3_4x4x4_3
Zone 3 - (8|4)
WebPartZone3_8x4_1
WebPartZone3_8x4_2
Zone 3 - (6|6)
WebPartZone3_6x6_1
WebPartZone3_6x6_2
Zone 3 - (4|8)
WebPartZone3_4x8_1
WebPartZone3_4x8_2
Zone 4 WebPart Area
Zone 4 - (12)
WebPartZone4_12
Zone 4 - (3|3|3|3)
WebPartZone4_3x3x3x3_1
WebPartZone4_3x3x3x3_2
WebPartZone4_3x3x3x3_3
WebPartZone4_3x3x3x3_4
Zone 4 - (4|4|4)
WebPartZone4_4x4x4_1
WebPartZone4_4x4x4_2
WebPartZone4_4x4x4_3
Zone 4 - (8|4)
WebPartZone4_8x4_1
WebPartZone4_8x4_2
Zone 4 - (6|6)
WebPartZone4_6x6_1
WebPartZone4_6x6_2
Zone 4 - (4|8)
WebPartZone4_4x8_1
WebPartZone4_4x8_2
Zone 5 WebPart Area
Zone 5 - (12)
WebPartZone5_12

More information

Visit the AEDC website for more information.

Email the Queensland AEDC team within the Department of Education at aedc@qed.qld.gov.au.

Information and resources for early childhood education and care services are available.

Zone 5 - (3|3|3|3)
WebPartZone5_3x3x3x3_1
WebPartZone5_3x3x3x3_2
WebPartZone5_3x3x3x3_3
WebPartZone5_3x3x3x3_4
Zone 5 - (4|4|4)
WebPartZone5_4x4x4_1
WebPartZone5_4x4x4_2
WebPartZone5_4x4x4_3
Zone 5 - (8|4)
WebPartZone5_8x4_1
WebPartZone5_8x4_2
Zone 5 - (6|6)
WebPartZone5_6x6_1
WebPartZone5_6x6_2
Zone 5 - (4|8)
WebPartZone5_4x8_1
WebPartZone5_4x8_2
Zone 6 WebPart Area
Zone 6 - (12)
WebPartZone6_12
Zone 6 - (3|3|3|3)
WebPartZone6_3x3x3x3_1
WebPartZone6_3x3x3x3_2
WebPartZone6_3x3x3x3_3
WebPartZone6_3x3x3x3_4
Zone 6 - (4|4|4)
WebPartZone6_4x4x4_1
WebPartZone6_4x4x4_2
WebPartZone6_4x4x4_3
Zone 6 - (8|4)
WebPartZone6_8x4_1
WebPartZone6_8x4_2
Zone 6 - (6|6)
WebPartZone6_6x6_1
WebPartZone6_6x6_2
Zone 6 - (4|8)
WebPartZone6_4x8_1
WebPartZone6_4x8_2
Zone 7 WebPart Area
Zone 7 - (12)
WebPartZone7_12
Zone 7 - (3|3|3|3)
WebPartZone7_3x3x3x3_1
WebPartZone7_3x3x3x3_2
WebPartZone7_3x3x3x3_3
WebPartZone7_3x3x3x3_4
Zone 7 - (4|4|4)
WebPartZone7_4x4x4_1
WebPartZone7_4x4x4_2
WebPartZone7_4x4x4_3
Zone 7 - (8|4)
WebPartZone7_8x4_1
WebPartZone7_8x4_2
Zone 7 - (6|6)
WebPartZone7_6x6_1
WebPartZone7_6x6_2
Zone 7 - (4|8)
WebPartZone7_4x8_1
WebPartZone7_4x8_2
Zone 8 WebPart Area
Zone 8 - (12)
WebPartZone8_12
Zone 8 - (3|3|3|3)
WebPartZone8_3x3x3x3_1
WebPartZone8_3x3x3x3_2
WebPartZone8_3x3x3x3_3
WebPartZone8_3x3x3x3_4
Zone 8 - (4|4|4)
WebPartZone8_4x4x4_1
WebPartZone8_4x4x4_2
WebPartZone8_4x4x4_3
Zone 8 - (8|4)
WebPartZone8_8x4_1
WebPartZone8_8x4_2
Zone 8 - (6|6)
WebPartZone8_6x6_1
WebPartZone8_6x6_2
Zone 8 - (4|8)
WebPartZone8_4x8_1
WebPartZone8_4x8_2
Zone 9 WebPart Area
Zone 9 - (12)
WebPartZone9_1
Zone 9 - (3|3|3|3)
WebPartZone9_3x3x3x3_1
WebPartZone9_3x3x3x3_2
WebPartZone9_3x3x3x3_3
WebPartZone9_3x3x3x3_4
Zone 9 - (4|4|4)
WebPartZone9_4x4x4_1
WebPartZone9_4x4x4_2
WebPartZone9_4x4x4_3
Zone 9 - (8|4)
WebPartZone9_8x4_1
WebPartZone9_8x4_2
Zone 9 - (6|6)
WebPartZone9_6x6_1
WebPartZone9_6x6_2
Zone 9 - (4|8)
WebPartZone9_4x8_1
WebPartZone9_4x8_2
Last updated 12 October 2026