NT Childcare Supply & Demand — 2024
Market Snapshot | 2023–2024
The Northern Territory recorded moderate growth in childcare capacity during 2023–2024, despite a slight decline in the underlying child population.
As at 2024, the NT had approximately 69 Centre-Based Day Care (CBDC) centres, providing around 5,000 places for an estimated 17,000 children aged 0–4.
NT at a Glance
| Indicator | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| Population aged 0–4 | 17K | -0.7% |
| CBDC centres | 69 | +3.0% |
| Approved places | 5K | +4.6% |
| Places per 100 children | 26.8 | +5.4% |
Capacity growth exceeds demographic demand
The Northern Territory’s population aged 0–4 declined by 0.7% during 2023–2024. Over the same period, the number of CBDC centres increased by 3.0%, while approved places grew by 4.6%.
This lifted the territory-wide supply ratio from approximately 25.5 places per 100 children in 2023 to 26.8 in 2024, representing a 5.4% year-on-year increase.
The figures point to a gradual improvement in childcare provision at the territory level. While capacity growth was more moderate than in several larger states, it occurred against a slightly declining child population, resulting in a measurable improvement in the overall supply-demand ratio.
Territory-wide figures mask significant local differences
The NT’s relatively small childcare market means territory-wide averages can conceal substantial differences between individual areas. Local population trends, centre numbers and available capacity can move in very different directions from one market to another.
Some areas experienced meaningful additions to childcare capacity during the year, while others recorded little change or a reduction in supply. Population trends also varied, creating very different local supply-demand outcomes beneath the territory-wide result.
For developers, operators and investors, understanding local population trends, existing provision and changes in childcare capacity is therefore particularly important. The NT average of 26.8 places per 100 children does not capture the significant variation between individual markets.
Want to see what’s happening at the local level?
The full NT Supply & Demand Report provides deeper analysis across individual areas, including:
- Local child population and YoY growth
- Centre and approved-place growth
- Places per 100 children by area
- Changes in local supply-demand balance
- Identification of relatively under- and over-supplied markets
- Areas where competitive pressure may be increasing
