Dan Tehan

Whether families actually save anything at all depends on where they live and what childcare provider they use, writes Kate Noble.

Childcare operators will be permitted to waive the gap fee for Melbourne parents from July 13, if their children do not attend due to new restrictions.

Almost a quarter of families using childcare will be adversely impacted by the activity test and potentially face higher out of pocket fees for care than before COVID19.

As we navigate uncharted territories over the coming months, the needs of children, families and the early childhood education workforce must be at the forefront of our thinking.

The Federal government needs to hear from Australian parents about exactly how the childcare changes & COVID-19 have affected them.

To snap back to a childcare system that was complex and unworkable even before COVID-19 is nothing short of madness, writes Lisa Bryant.

Free childcare has been offered to all Australian parents with a job during the COVOD19 pandemic. If their child is enrolled, they will not be charged.

The expected cost savings to parents from the government’s signature $2.5 billion childcare package have virtually been eradicated in 18 months.

Federal education minster Dan Tehan says childcare is a private sector market and some providers are operating above the government’s cap, introduced in 2017.