A Fairer Victoria is a whole of Government social policy action plan to address disadvantage and promote inclusion and participation. The plan targets four priority areas: support for children in their early years and for families most at risk; development of education and vocation; reducing health inequalities; promoting wellbeing; and strengthening neighbourhoods and local communities.

The Victorian Government's establishment of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will integrate early childhood services and schools across Victoria. Three discussion papers are available to provide an overview of this process, to examine early childhood development and school reform. Find these three discussion papers below in related content.

Improving cognitive skills of young children has been suggested as a possible strategy for equalising opportunities across racial groups. Using data on 4-5 year olds in the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Children, the authors focus on two cognitive tests: the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) and the ‘Who Am I?’ test (WAI). They estimate the...

This brief focuses on what the research tells us about the nature of and pathways to school readiness. It emphasises the importance of schools, services and communities supporting children and families and providing the conditions and experiences needed to ensure that all children reach school able to take advantage of the academic and social learning...

This report examines the performance of all Australian governments providing education, justice, emergency management, health, community services and housing services. These services account for $120 billion in government expenditure – almost 13 per cent of Australia's gross domestic product. The report is produced by a Steering Committee of senior officials from Australian, State and Territory...