CALL FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION:
Dear All,
You would be aware that Anthony Albanese is seeking to make Universal Access to Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) his legacy.
To achieve this, the government has engaged Deloitte Access Economics to carry out the Service Delivery Price (SDP) project, with a timeline of handing the final report to the government by the end of 2026.
The next key phase of is to explores the actual costs of delivering high-quality ECEC. To do this, Deloitte are seeking services to volunteer in this process.
The importance of the SDP Project
This project is the mechanism by which the government determines how much high-quality ECEC costs - and potentially how much it would pay, if there is funding reform. Right now, there is no clear, agreed-upon answer on what the delivery of high-quality ECEC is, or should cost. The Early Education SDP Project aims to address this by establishing a data-backed benchmark for the true costs of operating ECEC services.
The figures calculated in this process are important to our sector's financial viability. In particular, this research project will explore:
- the real, reasonable cost of providing quality early learning
- what drives those costs (e.g. staff wages, buildings, utilities)
- how operational costs vary depending on things like location or children’s needs.
The project will also explore how much funding or subsidies are appropriate.
Why it's important to volunteer to get involved
To avoid unintended negative outcomes, such as inadequate funding or ineffective policy settings, it's important that the findings of the SDP project accurately reflect the true cost of operating ECEC services.
Additionally, these findings must consider the variations across a diverse range of service providers in terms of size, service type, and circumstances, to ensure they convey the complex needs of the sector, rather than supporting a one-size-fits-all funding approach.
As participation is voluntary, we strongly encourage you to volunteer to participate in this study. The more service providers that volunteer, the more comprehensive and representative the data will be, ultimately leading to more effective policies and improved outcomes for all services.
Who will run the research project?
The government has engaged Deloitte Access Economics to deliver the Early Education SDP project, including the consultation with service providers, sector peak bodies, ECEC experts, families, First Nations communities and the relevant representational bodies, uniions and all levels of government.
Funding Relief to help you participate
The Department of Education has announced that it will provide a Small Provider Relief Payment to support small providers to engage with the project, as well as one-on-one in-person (and remote) support from Deloitte Access Economics to help with the submission of data.
Is participation mandatory?
Not entirely, but the government has amended the Family Assistance Administration Act, which means if needed, it can request information from providers about the cost of delivering ECEC. However this legislative power applies only to constitutional corporations.
What to expect from here
The Department of Education and Deloitte Access Economics will contact service providers with more information about how to get involved in the near future.
In preparation, the Department has recommended that you should ensure your details are correct and up to date in the Provider Entry Point (PEP) or your third-party software.
Information sessions
Deloitte Access Economics will hold information sessions, via Microsoft Teams, to raise awareness, provide information about the project for the sector and outline the key supports available.
These will be tailored by service type and provide an opportunity for Approved Providers to post questions. More information will be circulated about these sessions by the Department of Education in the coming weeks.
ACA particpation
As part of our consultation with peak bodies, we expect the ACA will help communicate, gather feedback, and provide insights to ensure accurate reporting outcomes from this project
For more information
To find out more about the SDP project, you can:
We will provide further information about the SDP project as more information comes to hand.
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