The department has engaged Karabena Consulting, an Indigenous-owned business, to review the Koorie Kids Shine program. The review aims to ensure that the program remains effective in respectfully engaging families and the community as we move into expanded kindergarten hours.
To support the review, services are encouraged to:
- share a survey with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families at your service
- nominate staff to provide operational feedback through a staff survey.
Families of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged zero to 8 years can take part in the survey. In selected locations, Karabena will also host in-person parent and carer forums.
Access the survey and share it with families and staff
To access the survey for families, refer to Koorie Kids Shine survey for Community.
Families can also register to attend a parent and carer forum by Monday 18 May 2026 here: Koorie Kids Shine Review Workshops & Forums
To access the staff survey, refer to Koorie Kids Shine survey for kinder staff.
The surveys close Monday 18 May 2026.
Participation is voluntary. Survey responses are anonymous.
The research is endorsed by the department and has ethics approval (AIATSIS REC-0652), which ensures handling of personal information in accordance with relevant legislative and ethical requirements.
Template text to share with families
The Department of Education is inviting parents and carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged zero to 8 years to take part in a survey.
The survey is part of a review of the Koorie Kids Shine program.
The program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Victoria by showing the benefits of kindergarten.
Your feedback will help the department make sure the program supports families in a respectful and effective way.
The survey will take about 15 minutes and closes on Monday 18 May 2026 at 4pm.
I encourage you to share your views by completing the survey.
To access the survey, refer to Koorie Kids Shine survey for Community. Responses are anonymous.
In-person parent and carer forums will also be held in selected locations. Catering will be available and children are welcome. For locations and to register, refer to Koorie Kids Shine Review Workshops & Forums.
Find out more
For further enquiries about the Koorie Kids Shine program, contact the KKS team by email: early.years.participation@education.vic.gov.au
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