ACCC FINDINGS UNDERSCORE NEED FOR BOLD EARLY LEARNING REFORM
29 January 2023 – Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five campaign has welcomed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)’s final report examining Australia’s early learning and care system, saying it adds further weight to the significant economic arguments for bold reform.
The ACCC report highlights that despite recent efforts to improve access and affordability, many families across Australia are locked out of the system, requiring ambitious further action.
The ACCC recommends the Federal Government:
- Abolish or significantly change the Childcare Activity Test
- Take measures to simplify and increase the scope of the Child Care Subsidy
- Expand and strengthen Aboriginal Community-Controlled and Operated early learning centres
- Play a more active role in monitoring early learning prices, costs and outcomes, along with other State and Territory Governments [1].
Minderoo’s Jay Weatherill said that the ACCC’s findings made it clear that the current system was leaving far too many families and children behind.
“The ACCC agrees: Australia’s early childhood education and care system is not currently meeting the needs of Australian families and children,” Mr Weatherill said.
“Markets alone have not been successful in tackling challenges with accessibility and affordability, and now more than ever, more assertive government intervention is necessary.
“Early childhood education and care is an essential service, but for far too long it has not been treated as such, and this must change.
“All governments must recognise that they have an active role to play in making early childhood education and care more accessible and affordable for all Australian families and that an over-reliance on the market model has failed to do so.
“By making early childhood education and care more accessible and affordable, we can ensure that Australia’s children have the best possible start to life, and improve our nation’s productivity by enabling primary carers, who are predominantly women, to re-enter the workforce.
“We look forward to working closely with governments to examine and take forward these important recommendations,” Mr Weatherill said.
[1] ACCC – Childcare Enquiry – Final Report
Media contact: Mayank Gurnani (Essential Media), 0414 463 827
