Minister for Indigenous Australians
The Productivity Commission’s latest Annual Data Compilation Report (ADCR) marks an important achievement, with Closing the Gap Target 3 for preschool enrolments met nationally.
The data shows that more than 95 per cent of First Nations children are enrolled in preschool, surpassing the target and demonstrating strong progress in supporting First Nations children to access early learning opportunities.
This is an increase from 61.3% enrolments in 2016 (the baseline year) and includes improvements across every state and territory.
Beyond the achievement of meeting Target 3, eight other targets are improving.
Three targets are improving and on track to be met:
- Employment (Target 8)
- Land mass subject to legal rights and interests (Target 15A)
- Sea waters subject to legal rights and interests (Target 15B)
Five targets are improving but not on track:
- Life expectancy (Target 1)
- Year 12 or equivalent qualifications (Target 5)
- Tertiary qualification (Target 6)
- Youth engagement (Target 7)
- Appropriately sized housing (Target 9A)
Four targets are worsening:
- Early childhood development (Target 4)
- Adult incarceration (Target 10)
- Children in out-of-home care (Target 12)
- Suicide rates (Target 14)
And two targets show no change from the baseline.
For the first time, the Productivity Commission dashboard and ADCR include community-led and governed data from the Mayi Kuwayu Study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing for experiences of racism.
Nationally between 2019-2021, just under half (45%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16 years or over experienced racial discrimination in everyday life.
Nationally in 2024, according to Australian Reconciliation Barometer data, about half (54%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18 years or over reported they had experienced racial prejudice in the past six months.
The new data highlights the need for all levels of government and Coalition of Peaks partners to continue to work together under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT are showing improvement across most targets, while the Northern Territory is showing improvement for around half the targets.
The Albanese Government remains committed to building on what is working.
This includes programs focused on creating jobs and training opportunities, easing cost of living pressures and strengthening food security in remote communities, improving remote housing to ease overcrowding, and improved health and education outcomes for First Nations people.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
“I welcome the Productivity Commission update that shows we have officially closed the gap when it comes to preschool enrolments for First Nations children.
“This is a significant milestone and shows that collective efforts can drive meaningful and lasting change.
“This result is encouraging, as are improvements in eight other targets including employment and education.
“However, it is very concerning that we are still seeing outcomes worsening for early childhood development, children in out-of-home care, incarceration rates and suicide.
“Our government remains committed to Closing the Gap; working in partnership with First Nations communities, building on what is working and investing in the areas where we can make the greatest difference to generational change.
“State and territory governments must also back in their commitments under the National Agreement with investments and policies that improve outcomes for First Nations people.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education, Senator Jess Walsh:
“Achieving this Target of more than 95% enrolment of First Nations children in preschool is something we should all celebrate.
“This shows that when we collectively put our minds and efforts towards big challenges, we can make a difference.
“But we know there is more to do – and we need to do better. Too many First Nations children are still starting school developmentally behind.
“Our focus is practical: more culturally safe services, more ACCO-led delivery, more Connected Beginnings sites, more places where families need them, and greater access to subsidised early learning.”
Quotes attributable to Coalition of Peaks Lead Convenor, Donnella Mills:
“Closing the Gap on Target 3 is a landmark achievement under the National Agreement. This means more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have enrolled in preschool, supporting access to early learning, giving them the best possible start in life.
“Achieving Target 3 is a step in the right direction, it shows what could be achieved if governments took a more genuine and ambitious approach to working with our communities.
“Governments need to do more to embed the Priority Reforms in their work to close the gap and achieve the outcomes our people have fought for over decades, especially those governments who are responsible for targets going backwards or have stalled.”
