The Australian Government’s recent decision to guarantee three days a week of early childhood education and care (ECEC) is a significant step towards improving child wellbeing, workforce participation, and economic security. But what does this policy mean for Australian families?
At ARACY, we advocate for a high-quality, accessible, and equitable ECEC system that supports every child’s right to thrive. Here, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this initiative through the lens of our advocacy priorities and The Nest, Australia’s wellbeing framework developed by ARACY.
What is the Guaranteed Three Days a Week Education and Care Bill?
The Government’s Early Childhood Education and Care (Three Day Guarantee) Bill 2025 aims to ensure that all Child Care Subsidy CCS eligible families have access to a minimum of three days of subsidised early learning per week. Families caring for First Nations children eligible for 100 hours each fortnight for each child. The specifics of eligibility, funding models, and implementation details are still being discussed, but the core intent is to make ECEC more accessible and affordable for families across Australia.
Why is this important for children?
At ARACY, we know that quality early learning experiences are essential for child development. This initiative aligns with The Nest, our wellbeing framework, by promoting:
- Being Loved and Safe: High-quality early learning environments foster secure attachments and safe, nurturing relationships.
- Being Healthy: ECEC settings provide structured child led activities that support physical and mental health.
- Learning: Early years education builds foundational skills, promotes lifelong learning and improves developmental outcomes.
- Participating: Access to early learning encourages social connection and active engagement in community life.
- Material basics: All children, regardless of their parent’s income or employment, gain access to quality ECEC, reducing the risk of developmental vulnerability—especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Positive sense of identity and culture: Belonging, a core element of the Early Years Learning Framework, helps children appreciate their own unique background—traditions, language, and more—while embracing the diversity of others.
How will this impact families?
For many families, inconsistent access to early years education and care limits their ability to work or pursue education. This policy could:
- Support families experiencing economic insecurity by reducing financial barriers to accessing ECEC, helping to ease the cost of living.
- Provide stability for children by ensuring consistent, high-quality early learning experiences.
- Increase workforce participation, particularly for women, by ensuring reliable and affordable care options.
How will the guarantee work?
From January 2026, all families will be entitled to at least 72 hours of subsidised ECEC per fortnight (three days per week), regardless of their employment status or activity levels. Families may be eligible for additional hours depending on personal activity requirements
ARACY welcomes this step towards universal early learning access, ensuring all children benefit from consistent, high-quality ECEC. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds, in particular, experience significant developmental gains through regular participation in early learning.
How does this policy fit within broader reforms to ECEC?
While this initiative is a positive step, ARACY continues to advocate for:
- Universal access to high-quality early learning from birth to school age.
- Investment in the ECEC workforce, ensuring educators receive fair pay, professional development, and career pathways.
- Culturally safe and inclusive ECEC services that meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
What’s next?
The details of how this policy will be implemented are still emerging. ARACY will continue to engage with policymakers, researchers, and communities to ensure that the reforms prioritise child wellbeing and align with best practices in early learning.
How can I get involved?
Advocacy is key to shaping policies that benefit children. You can:
- Follow ARACY’s updates on ECEC policy developments.
- Share your experiences with accessing child care to inform policy discussions.
- Support campaigns advocating for a stronger, more equitable early learning system.
The guaranteed three days a week of child care is a step towards a better future for Australia’s children. But we must ensure that this policy is inclusive, high-quality, and sustainable. Together, we can build a system that enables all children to thrive.
