EOI for reference group to support Early Years Strategy

The Australian Government is establishing a new Parents and Carers Reference Group (PCRG) to support the Early Years Strategy 2024–2034 (the Strategy)., as a direct response to Priority Focus Area 1 of the Strategy: Value the Early Years – Embed the voices of children and their families.

Applications are now open for parents and carers of children aged 0–12 to express interest in becoming a member of the PCRG. The call for expressions of interest will close at 11:59pm on Tuesday 3 September 2024 and late applications will not be considered.

The PCRG will:

• provide parents and carers with an opportunity to have a say on what the government is doing to support our youngest children
• allow the government to hear directly from parents and carers on what matters to them.

The Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP, is responsible for appointing all PCRG members.

The PCRG will have around 20 members from across Australia. Most members will be parents and carers of children aged 0–12 from different backgrounds and with different lived experience. Members will share their experience and knowledge on the needs of children aged 0–12. They will also share thoughts on how the government can help children and their families better. The government will use this information to inform future initiatives and enhance how it supports children and their families.

The first meeting of the PCRG will be in December 2024.

For more information about the PCRG please  visit the Department of Social Services website at Parents and Carers Reference Group | Department of Social Services, Australian Government (dss.gov.au)

To apply to become a parent or carer on the PCRG, go to www.engage.dss.gov.au/PCRG and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by 3 September 2024.