ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of early childhood education policy in Australia, including changes regarding early childhood provision and parental leave. It makes comparisons with Sweden, considered a world leader in early childhood education policy and providing strong synergy between parental leave and early childhood provision. The chapter includes a call for commitment from the Australian government to long-term funding and support of early childhood education policy to support young children and their families. Governments in Australia provide assistance to Early Childhood Education and Care through a mix of payments to families, support for providers and the direct provision of services. Many developed countries around the world have agreed to provide universal access to high-quality early childhood education. Australia has only provided an agreement, allowing all children access. The Australian government also established the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority to create a new national body for early childhood education and care.
