On 29 November 2008, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to a substantial reform package to increase Australia's productivity - starting with the earliest years, and moving through school and into the training system. The reform package will deliver universal access to early childhood education for all children in the year before school by 2013. Reforms to education will target disadvantaged school communities, improve teacher quality and ensure greater accountability of education providers, and reforms in the Vocational Education and Training sector will ensure that Australians have the skills and training the meet the demands of the 21st century economy.

More information about the reform package can be found in the Communiqué from the meeting available on the COAG website.