Australian Early Development Census (AEDC)

Identifying and definitional attributes

Item type:Help on this termData Source
Description:Help on this term

The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a nationwide data collection of early childhood development at the time children commence their first year of full-time school.  The AEDC highlights what is working well and what needs to be improved or developed to support children and their families by providing evidence to support health, education and community policy and planning.

The census involves teachers of children in their first year of full-time school completing a research tool, the Australian version of the Early Development Instrument. The Instrument collects data relating to five key areas of early childhood development referred to as ‘domains’, these include:

  • Physical health and well being
  • Social competence
  • Emotional maturity
  • Language and cognitive skills
  • Communication skills and general knowledge.

The AEDC was previously known as the Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) programme. AEDI collections were conducted in 2009 and 2012.

Collection and usage attributes

Frequency:Help on this termEvery three years.

Source and reference attributes

Data custodian:Help on this term

Australian Government Department of Education and Training

Submitting organisation:Help on this term

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Reference documents:Help on this term

Department of Education and Training 2015. Australian Early Development Census. Viewed 20 October 2016, http://www.aedc.gov.au/about-the-aedc.