Early and timely developmental support helps children to thrive.

Responding early to children’s developmental needs delivers long-term benefits for children, families and society. It boosts children’s health, development and wellbeing, and is more effective, efficient and financially sustainable.

The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a nationwide data collection of early childhood development when children start their first year of full-time school, taking place every three years since 2009. The results from the sixth collection were released in 2025. With each successive wave, the AEDC provides a more comprehensive understanding of early childhood development in Australia.

This webinar will focus on how responding to children’s needs early can give them a strong start, including support for children with developmental concerns, delay or disability.

This webinar will explore:

• what the AEDC tells us about trends in children’s development
• the National Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention
• perspectives of families of children with a disability
• how a local community is supporting children’s development.

Panellists include:

• Karen Dimmock, CEO, ACD
• Dr Sarah Gray, Senior Research Officer & Project Manager, Centre for Community Child Health
• Professor Christine Imms, Chair of Neurodevelopment and Disability, University of Melbourne
• Rowena Mouda, CEO, Ngunga Group Womens Aboriginal Corporation

The webinar was hosted by Prof Sharon Goldfeld AM, Director of the Centre for Community Child Health, on behalf of the Australian Government, Department of Education.

» Watch recording of the webinar.