The Australian, State and Territory governments are working cooperatively to
undertake national reforms in the early childhood, education and training sector. In
2008, the importance of early childhood development and education and training
was formally acknowledged when COAG agreed to the following aspirations for the
ECET sector:
• children are born healthy and have access to the support, care and education
throughout early childhood that equips them for life and learning, delivered in a
way that actively engages parents, and meets the workforce participation needs
of parents
• all Australian school students acquire the knowledge and skills to participate
effectively in society and employment in a globalised economy
• all working aged Australians have the opportunity to develop skills and
qualifications needed, including through a responsive training system, to enable
them to be effective participants in and contributors to the modern labour market
(COAG 2008a).