Recent data from the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) reveals that nearly 60% of children in remote and very remote areas are not developmentally on track to start school. More than 20% are vulnerable in two or more areas of development – almost double the rate seen in major cities. This rate has increased over the last years.
“These figures are heartbreaking but not surprising,” said Dr. Marcel Zimmet, Chief Medical Officer at Royal Far West. “They confirm what we see every day – that country kids are being left behind because of where they live.”
Across rural and remote Australia, families are grappling with long waitlists, workforce shortages, and fragmented services. In some areas, wait times for paediatric care stretch up to four years. In others, there are no services at all.
“Early intervention is the key to changing a child’s life trajectory,” Dr Zimmet said. “But for too many families, help comes too late – or not at all. We need a national commitment to ensure every child, no matter their postcode, can access the support they need in their early years.”
Royal Far West offers multidisciplinary developmental, mental health and disability support services for country children. These services are delivered at our Centre for Country Kids in Manly, via virtual care and in-community.
Since 2020, Royal Far West’s Schools and Early Years service, has helped 31,806 children, teachers and caregivers across four states. Independent evaluation shows 88% of children achieve or exceed their therapy goals.
“But we’re only scratching the surface,” Dr Zimmet said. “We know what works – now we need the scale and support to reach the children who are still waiting. This is a moment for leadership and long-term thinking.”
Royal Far West is urging decision makers attending the Bush Summit to prioritise:
– Investment in early intervention services for rural and remote children
– Workforce strategies to attract and retain paediatric specialists in the bush
– Support for community-led solutions that reflect local needs and strengths
“We’re not asking for the impossible,” Dr Zimmet added. “We’re asking for a fair go for country kids – for the same opportunities, the same access to care, and the same chance to thrive as any other child in Australia.”