More than one in four ACT children falling behind on development milestones
More than one in four ACT children are developmentally vulnerable, above the national rate of 23.5 per cent.
The ACT Government has tried for a decade to improve child development outcomes, but the effort has not shown results. The 2024 Australian Early Development Census found 28.1 per cent of ACT children developmentally vulnerable in at least one area, higher than the 23.5 per cent national average.
Developmental vulnerability has gotten worse in every census cycle since 2015. Only 43.8 per cent of ACT children are on track across all five areas.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children face bigger challenges. About 52 per cent are vulnerable and just 24.1 per cent are on track.
An independent review found several linked causes. These include growing pressures on families, more complex developmental needs, and split-up support services.
The government started the Thriving Kids initiative with 21.8 million dollars in funding. It aims to find developmental concerns earlier.
- 28.1 percent
- ACT children vulnerable
- 23.5 percent
- National average vulnerable
- 52 percent
- Aboriginal children vulnerable
- 21.8 million dollars
- Thriving Kids funding
Why it mattersOne in four children struggling with development before school signals a problem. The problem is with policy, service access, or family support systems. These affect how ready children are for school and their long-term outcomes.
AustraliaACT families and schools face rising numbers of children needing extra developmental support, putting pressure on already stretched early education and health services across the territory.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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