10 July 2025
The ELACCA Board writes today to formally advise that ELACCA CEO, Elizabeth Death, has submitted her resignation and will be stepping down on 6 October 2025.
Since commencing in 2016, Elizabeth has facilitated ELACCA’s growth from a small representative group of CEOs to the current 18 member organisations with a significant national footprint and voice.
Whilst representing members, Elizabeth has successfully navigated the challenges that faced the sector during COVID, two Productivity Commission Inquiries, an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Inquiry, the South Australian Royal Commission, NSW IPART Inquiry and Market Monitoring, as well as innumerable policy agendas across State, Territory and the Australian Government. She has been a trusted advisor and council to many – providers, regulators, and Governments. Elizabeth and her team have developed ELACCA to be a recognised voice.
Elizabeth is immensely proud to have worked collaboratively with members, the ELACCA team, partner organisations and all Governments, to advocate for quality early learning, and deliver professional learning, through numerous initiatives.
She has led with clarity and purpose, ensuring large providers are actively engaged in sector-wide reforms. Importantly, she has never lost sight of the children at the heart of our work, and the value of working together for change.
The board and members of ELACCA would like to thank Elizabeth and acknowledge the huge contribution that she has made in leading an organisation that has, at its core, improving the quality of the Early Childhood Education and Care sector in Australia.
Pejman Okhovat and Kay Turner
Co-chairs
Early Learning and Care Council of Australia
PO Box 348
Annandale NSW 2038
About us:
The Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA) was established to promote the value of quality early learning and care as an integral part of Australia’s education system. Our 18 CEO members include some of the largest early learning providers in the country, representing both not-for-profit and for-profit services. ELACCA members operate 1,980 long day care services, 316 preschool/kindergarten services and 83 OSHC services, covering every state and territory. They offer one-quarter of all the early learning places in Australia. Together, our members serve 360,870 children and their families, and employ more than 58,000 staff.
As well as promoting the value of quality early learning and the need for greater public investment, ELACCA advocates for the right of all children to access quality early learning and care, particularly children facing disadvantage. We do this by drawing on the knowledge and practical experience of our members and representing their views to decision makers in government, the media and the public.