Cheaper child care for more Australian families

Legislation to change the Child Care Subsidy takes effect from tomorrow and will deliver Cheaper Child Care for around 1.2 million families across the country from July.

This is good for children, good for families and good for Australia.

For a family earning $120,000 with one child in care – their child care costs will be about $1,700 a year less than they otherwise would be. 

For families on a combined income of $80,000 or less, the Child Care Subsidy rate will lift to 90 per cent.

For families with two or more children aged five or under in care, the higher subsidy of up to 95 per cent for the second and subsequent children in care will remain.

More Indigenous children will be able to access early education by increasing the baseline number of hours of subsidised early childhood education and care families are eligible for each fortnight.

Families can now calculate their Child Care Subsidy by visiting www.childcaresubsidy.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“Around 1.2 million families will benefit from Cheaper Child Care to help with cost-of-living pressures and make it easier for parents to return to paid work, or work more paid hours, if they want to.

“Apart from their mortgage or rent, child care is the biggest bill that a lot of Australian families have to pay.

“This is a practical measure that is good for children, good for parents and good for the country.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education, Dr Anne Aly:

“More affordable early childhood education and care is a win-win for Australian families, delivering cost-of-living relief while also making it easier to increase household income.

“This is about providing real relief to the household budget of around 1.2 million families right across Australia. 

“More affordable early childhood education and care means more Australian children can access the transformational health and education benefits of foundation years learning no matter their postcode or background.”

NUMBER OF FAMILIES TO BENEFIT FROM CHEAPER CHILD CARE BY STATE AND TERRITORY