Early childhood sector review to deliver benefits for NSW families

The first-ever review into the NSW early childhood education and care sector will kick off in 2023 as the NSW Government delivers the first phase of its $15.9 billion Early Years Commitment, for the benefit of all families.  
 
The NSW Government has commissioned the Independent Pricing and Review Tribunal (IPART) to review the early learning sector in NSW to provide a better understanding of affordability, accessibility and consumer choice across the state.  
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the historic investment by the Liberals and Nationals will deliver significant growth in NSW children’s development.  
 
“We know that this investment will change the lives of children across the state but moving forward we need better data to ensure our funding allocation will have the biggest impact for families,” Ms Mitchell said. 
 
“IPART will collect the essential information we need to help drive down the cost of early childhood education and care, while ensuring high quality and delivering more services for NSW families right across the state,” 
 
“Alongside mapping out costs and barriers to access, the Review will make recommendations on ways to improve affordability, accessibility and consumer choice. 
 
“Together with the ACCC national review, the IPART Review will enable us to be fully informed as we roll out our landmark Early Years Commitment.”  
 
IPART will look at how supply and demand affect affordability, accessibility and consumer choice across the whole ECEC sector in NSW, while the ACCC inquiry will review the drivers of childcare cost and prices in Commonwealth Child Care Subsidised services across Australia.  
 
The Review will start in early 2023, with an interim report expected in August 2023, and a final report by December 2023.   
 
Families, the broader community and the ECEC sector will have an opportunity to share feedback on the draft terms of reference on the IPART website until 10 January 2023. IPART will consult families and the sector during the review in 2023. 
 
To contribute to the terms of reference, visit www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/node/1764.