The issue of childcare affordability is not going away, particularly as families continue to struggle with rising costs of living. The Australian Chamber of Commerce have suggested a controversial solution. What it help your family?
Childcare costs are crippling Australian families. Even with the automatic rebate of 50%, many families struggle to pay preschool fees that often exceed $100 per child per day. There’s also the incredibly frustrating issue of waiting lists at preschools. It can take up to two years to find a place in some areas.
And for mums desperate to head back to work, who don’t have the luxury of family who can lend a hand, that can be an incredible drain.
The problem is huge. Massive. Gigantic. Astronomical.
And government after government have tried to improve the affordability and availability of child care but the problem isn’t going away. But is this incredibly controversial solution the answer?
The Australian Chamber of Commerce have suggested a HECS-style scheme that would be paid later, once the children start school. They have also suggested the automatic rebate be means tested - so families with higher incomes would receive less or potentially nothing at all from the government.
Jenny Lambert is the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Director of Employment, Education and Training. She says childcare in Australia is in exactly the same place that tertiary education was when HECS was introduced and says a HECS-style loan scheme for preschools would address affordability concerns.