Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy (pictured) says the gap has officially been closed on First Nations children enrolled in preschool. Photo: File.
More than 95 per cent of preschool-aged First Nations children are now enrolled in preschool, a figure which marks a milestone achievement in Closing the Gap targets.
The Productivity Commission’s latest Annual Data Compilation Report (ADCR), released on Thursday (30 July) shows Target 3 for preschool enrolments has been met nationally.
It is an increase from 61.3 per cent enrolments in 2016 – the baseline year – and includes improvements across every state and territory.
The total national figure surpasses the target, with the Federal Government saying the result demonstrates strong progress in supporting First Nations children in accessing early learning opportunities.
Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said the Productivity Commission’s update shows Australia has “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,” Senator McCarthy said.
“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.”
The eight other targets that are improving, with three targets on track to be met, are: Target 8 – employment; Target 15A – land mass subject to legal rights and interests; and Target 15B – sea waters subject to legal rights and interests.
Five targets that are improving but not on track are: life expectancy; year 12 or equivalent qualifications; tertiary qualification; youth engagement; and appropriately sized housing.
Four targets are worsening: early childhood development; adult incarceration; children in out-of-home care; and suicide rates.
Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh, however, said achieving the target of more than 95 per cent enrolment of First Nations children in preschool was something all Australians should celebrate.
“This shows that when we collectively put our minds and efforts towards big challenges, we can make a difference,” Senator Walsh said.
“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 [Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations] delivery, more Connected Beginnings sites [federally-funded early years program], more places where families need them, and greater access to subsidised early learning.”
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, 45 per cent 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, 54 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18 years or over reported they had experienced racial prejudice in the past six months.
The Federal Government says 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.
The ACT, NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania are showing improvement across most targets, while the Northern Territory is showing improvement for about half the targets.
Coalition of Peaks lead convenor Donnella Mills described closing the gap on Target 3 as 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,” she said.
“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 [of the National Agreement] 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.”
