GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER INTRODUCING CAPS ON CHILDCARE FEES IN A WIN FOR UNIVERSAL EARLY LEARNING
15 October 2024 – The Albanese Government is reportedly developing plans to introduce a cap on daily childcare and early learning fees [1].
Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five campaign, which has been advocating for a fixed fee model [2], has welcomed the development.
Minderoo’s Jay Weatherill said that the reported plan was the only way to ensure universal early learning access and the best way for the Government to help bring down costs for families.
“Reports that the Albanese Government is planning to transition Australia’s early learning system to a fixed fee model are a very positive development,” Mr Weatherill said.
“The Government has taken several positive steps over the past couple of years to make early learning more accessible and affordable, including increasing the rate of the childcare subsidy and funding a wage increase for educators.
“These have been important measures that have strengthened Australia’s early childhood education and care system.
“However, the number of childcare places remains too low and the cost of childcare remains too high, which is holding Australian families back and excluding children from accessing high-quality early education.
“A fixed fee model is the best possible solution to this challenge and will help us realise the Prime Minister’s vision for a truly universal early childhood education and care system.
“By transitioning to a fixed fee model, we can help ensure that all children, regardless of their circumstances can access the life-changing positive benefits of early learning.
“We can enable primary carers, who are predominantly women, to re-enter the workforce should they choose to, and we can help provide meaningful cost of living relief for families.
“It is a policy that delivers for all of Australia and is supported by a majority of voters across the country [3].
“We look forward to working with the Government to deliver these bold, necessary reforms for Australia’s families, children, and workers,” Mr Weatherill said.
[1] Flat-fee childcare to spearhead PM’s second-term agenda – The Australian Financial Review
[2] Thrive by Five – Make it Law
[3] Thrive by Five – Early Learning Monitor
