Childcare deserts: Mapping access to early childhood education and care in Australia
‘Childcare deserts’ is a flagship research series examining accessibility of early childhood education and care (ECEC) across Australia. First released in 2022, with major national and international updates in 2024, the series identifies where ECEC supply fails to meet demand, highlighting the communities where families face the greatest barriers to participation.
Using detailed spatial and demographic analysis, the research maps shortages at a local level, providing a clear and accessible picture of how access varies across regions. It consistently shows that childcare gaps are most severe in areas already experiencing socio-economic disadvantage, compounding existing inequities for children and families.
Beyond mapping access, the series examines the broader implications of ECEC shortages. It highlights the impact on early learning and development, workforce participation—particularly for women—and the long-term social and economic wellbeing of communities.
The childcare deserts series has played a significant role in shaping national policy conversations on early learning. It has been widely cited in media, government reports, and sector advocacy, helping to elevate the issue of access and inform debate around ECEC reform. The findings have contributed to a stronger focus on supply-side challenges and the need for more targeted investment in underserved communities.
By providing robust, place-based evidence, our work on childcare deserts supports governments, providers, and communities to better understand where services are most needed and how policy responses can be designed to improve equity in access to ECEC.
