This report sets out the Productivity Commission’s draft findings and recommendations to address the barriers that affect access to early childhood education and care (ECEC) services and support better outcomes for children and families.

Up to 30 hours (or three days) of quality ECEC a week should be available to all children aged 0–5. Achieving this will require actions to:

• expand the availability of ECEC (including by responding to workforce challenges)
• change subsidy arrangements to make ECEC more affordable for lower-income families
• ensure ECEC is inclusive for all children
• improve the flexibility of the system to meet the needs of families
• ensure quality (including by improving quality assessments and taking steps to address persistently poor quality).

A final report will be provided to the Australian government in June 2024.

The Productivity Commission invites written submissions and brief comments on this draft report and its recommendations. These are due in mid-February 2024.