This year, the Early Childhood Australia (ECA) National Conference is heading to Perth.

Held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from Wednesday 1 October to Saturday 4 October, the 2025 theme is 'Universal not Uniform: Leading change, strengthening unity and honouring individuality'. 

The theme focuses on policy analysis and debate with reform agendas at both national and jurisdiction levels taking shape across the country. ECA wants to make sure that this reform is informed by evidence and pays particular attention to strengthening equity – both in terms of access to early education but also outcomes for children and families who may otherwise be at risk of experiencing poor development, learning or wellbeing outcomes into their formal school years. 

There is also a need to ensure that these reforms are flexible to allow for contextualised solutions across jurisdictions and to meet the needs of all children and families.

The ECA National Conference is an opportunity to come together and help shape the future of Australia as a nation and the legacy we leave for the next generation of children.

Presentations at the conference are centered on the following enquiry areas 

• multiple literacies for children's learning
• one workforce for young children
• children at the centre of their own education journey
• leadership: national initiatives, local solutions
• supporting inclusion for regional, rural and remote.

The conference program offers a variety of streams and sessions to suit attendees at different points in their careers including initial teacher education (ITE) students, early childhood teachers and educational leaders.