Making child care easier for families

The Morrison Government is cutting red tape to make it easier for families to use the Child Care Subsidy. 

In the December quarter, the Government provided $1.96 billion through the subsidy to assist more than 900,000 families access child care. 

Minister for Education Dan Tehan today introduced a bill that amends the Child Care Package to improve the operation of the subsidy and make life easier for families. 

“When the Child Care Subsidy was introduced on 2 July last year it was the biggest government reform to child care in Australian history,” Mr Tehan said. 

“Because of the Morrison Government’s Child Care Subsidy out-of-pocket child care costs for families are down by 7.9 per cent, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Consumer Price Index. 

“We have listened to feedback from parents and providers and the amendments introduced today will make the subsidy operate more efficiently. 

“The improvements include extending the timeframe for enrolments to be ceased due to a child’s non-attendance at a service from eight to 14 weeks. 

“This will save time and cut red tape for families and child care providers by preventing the need for children to be re-enrolled following most regular breaks in attendance, such as where a child attends care during school holidays but not during school terms. 

“We are also removing the limit on the number of children that a child care provider can self-certify as being at risk of serious abuse or neglect to receive the Additional Child Care Subsidy. 

“This will further reduce barriers to vulnerable children and disadvantaged families’ accessing quality early learning and child care.”