The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a nationwide data collection of early childhood development at the time children commence their first year of full-time school. AEDC collects data relating to five key areas of early childhood development referred to as ‘domains’:

• Physical health and wellbeing
• Social competence
• Emotional maturity
• Language and cognitive skills (school-based)
• Communication skills and general knowledge

Focusing on the students who are vulnerable in one or more of the AEDC domains.

• Click the legend to include other states.
• The percentage of 4-6 years old who were developmentally vulnerable in one or more AEDC domains in SA has been stable for the past four testing years.
• SA has been worse than the national average since 2012.
• In 2021, 23.8% of 4-6 year olds were developmentally vulnerable in one or more AEDC domains in SA, in comparison to 22.0% nationally.
• SA has a lower percentage of developmental vulnerability in 4-6 years olds compared with Qld and NT in all testing periods, and lower percentage in the past two testing periods compared with ACT.

In the above plot, regions that match the SA state average for AEDC vulnerability in one or more domains in 2021 are shown with white shading, while blue and brown show regions with lower and higher percentages of vulnerability in one or more domains, respectively. Click a region on the plot to bring up more detailed information.

In 2021:

• Outback – North and East, Playford and Lower North areas were at least 37% higher than the state average for developmental vulnerability in one or more AEDC domains.
• Regional and Remote areas, except for Yorke Peninsula, had higher percentage of AEDC vulnerability in one or more domains.

In 2021:

• Individuals in SA from higher socioeconomic environments had a lower percentage of developmental vulnerabilities: 16% of the highest SEIFA category have one or more developmental vulnerabilities compared with 34% in the lowest SEIFA category.
• Individuals from regional and remote locations in SA were statistically higher to metropolitan areas within AEDC vulnerability in one or more domains: 28% of remote individuals were developmentally vulnerable in comparison to 23% from metro Adelaide.

Data Source: Australian Early Development Census

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding to eligible Australians, including children and young people, with permanent and significant disability for the supports and services they need.
In quarter 4 of 2021-22 in SA:
• 6,472 children (birth to six years inclusive) had an approved NDIS plan (5,651 in quarter 4, 2020-21).
• 899 children (birth to six years inclusive) received early childhood early intervention supports (680 in quarter 4, 2020-21).

Data Source: NDIS Tailored Data Request