The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport's inquiry into local government funding will hear from the Department of Education and National Indigenous Australians Agency this week.
The Committee wants to better understand from the Department of Education how local government can be supported to help deliver early childhood education across their communities, especially when private providers are not present. In 2023-24, the Australian Government provided nearly $383 million in local government funding for a range of early childhood education and care infrastructure. Councils that are service providers of childcare may apply to the Department for initiatives involving early childhood education infrastructure, integrated child and family hubs, and school-community co-location projects.
The Committee will also hear from the National Indigenous Australians Agency to discuss its role distributing Commonwealth local government funding of $123 million in 2023-24.
Committee Chair, Mrs Fiona Phillips, said "The Committee is keen to hear from the Department of Education about whether current funding arrangements are meeting the needs of local governments and their communities. It also wants to explore how funding can better support councils delivering early childhood education services, particularly in regional and rural communities."
"Regarding the National Indigenous Australians Agency, the Committee looks forward to hearing how local governments are partners or delivery organisations, particularly for projects that support First Nations communities, Closing the Gap priorities, and community infrastructure."
Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee's website.
Public hearing
Date: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Time: 11.00 am – 12.30 pm
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra
A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live broadcast of the hearing will also be available on the APH website.
