Childcare will be free for all parents and carers who currently send their children to a centre and will even be subsidised for many who do not currently use it. Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan said that from Monday, 6 April, free childcare would be available to working parents and carers, as well as those who are not working, but studying or looking for work.
Free Childcare From Monday (6 April)
“If they have an existing relationship with a childcare centre and they’re sending their children to that childcare centre then yes, they will get it for free under this arrangement,” Mr Tehan announced. Mr Tehan said the offer would also be extended to out-of-hours school care and to family daycare centres that operate out of carers’ homes.
Who can access free child care?
If your child is enrolled in an approved child care service which remains operating will be able to access fee-free child care. Free access will apply to all service-types if they remain open and receive the new government payment: this includes centre-based care, family daycare and vacation care.
It is unclear who will be considered an essential worker but Minister for Education Dan Tehan has stated: ‘We want people to understand that the priority will be given to those who need to be working. The priority will be given to those who can’t care for their children’.
Read the official Australian government release here.
FAQ
Read the complete Government Childcare FAQ here
FAMILIES RESOURCES
Access the information resources for families
VIDEO RESOURCES