The Preschool Outcomes Measure (POM): A Provider's Guide to the 2026–27 Pilot

You may have started hearing about the Preschool Outcomes Measure, often shortened to the POM. It is a national formative assessment tool designed to help teachers and educators support children’s learning and development in the year before full-time school. In short, it is a way to better understand where a child is and how to support their next steps.

The reason it is coming up in conversations now is that a pilot is underway. The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) is delivering a 2-year pilot, funded by the Australian Government Department of Education. If you run or lead a service, it is worth understanding what the POM is, and just as importantly, what it is not.

What the POM is (and what it is not)

Let me be clear about the framing, because it matters. The POM is a formative assessment tool. Its purpose is to help teachers and educators support children’s learning. It is not a test. It is not a ranking. It is not a judgement of children or of your service.

Formative simply means it is intended to inform practice as you go, rather than to grade or sort anyone. If you have spent time working through the National Quality Standard’s seven quality areas, this will feel familiar in spirit: it is about understanding and supporting learning, not about catching anyone out. You can also see how terms like formative assessment fit together in our glossary.

What the 2026–27 pilot is testing

The pilot has a focused purpose. According to ACER and the Department of Education, the 2026–27 pilot will test two things:

• The national tool’s usability for teachers and educators. In other words, is it practical and workable for the people who would actually use it day to day?
• How the tool works when it is applied multiple times a year, rather than only once.

A prototype version of the POM national tool was trialled in 2025. Findings from that trial and evaluation will inform further refinements for the 2026–27 pilot. That is a sensible way to build something national: trial it, learn from it, then refine it before it goes wider.

Expressions of interest and how to take part

If you are interested in your service being part of the pilot, here is what is known so far. Expressions of interest for the pilot will open soon and will be managed by participating states and territories.

To find out about participating, the right step is to contact your local education department. They are managing the process in each jurisdiction, so they will have the specific dates, eligibility details and instructions for your area.

Current as at June 2026; expressions of interest and pilot details can change, so confirm the latest position with the Department of Education or your local education department.

How to get your team ready

You do not need to wait for the pilot to start strengthening the foundations the POM sits on. The POM is about understanding and supporting children’s learning, and that work rests on the everyday practice of your educators.

In my experience across this sector, having spent more than 30 years from the floor to the boardroom as an end-to-end ECEC advisor, the services that adapt well to new tools are the ones that already have strong, shared practice. If your team is confident in observing, documenting and responding to children’s learning, a formative tool like the POM becomes a natural extension rather than a new burden. That is the heart of building a quality culture in your childcare service.

If you want an honest read on where your practice sits before any new tool arrives, a performance audit can give you a clear, calm baseline. It is far easier to take on something new when you already know your starting point.

A note on staying current

This is a developing area. Details such as timing, jurisdictions and the way the tool is applied can shift as the pilot progresses and findings come in. Treat the official sources as your source of truth: the Australian Government Department of Education, ACER, and your local education department.

If something you read elsewhere does not match those sources, trust the official ones.

This guide is general information only and is not legal, financial or compliance advice.

Get the right support

If you are weighing up whether to express interest, or you simply want your practice in good shape before any new tool lands, a clear baseline helps. A performance audit gives you a practical picture of where you stand and what to strengthen first. When you are ready to talk it through, get in touch and we will work out the right next step for your service.