More than one million Australian families will soon get cheaper child care, with extra money also set aside to hire more early educators.
The Albanese government will commit $55.31 billion over the next four years in this month’s budget to make childcare more affordable from July.
The signature election pledge will benefit about 1.2 million families nationwide, with more than 400,000 families in NSW, 302,100 in Victoria, and 284,100 in Queensland to receive a boost.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said cheaper child care was a “practical measure that is good for children, good for parents and good for the country”.
“It will help with cost of living pressures and make it easier for parents to return to paid work, or work more paid hours, if they want to,” he said.
The government will also set aside $72.4 million over five years to support the training of early childhood educators and the care sector.
More than 80,000 early childhood educators will benefit from the package, with a focus on regional and remote services, and Indigenous organisations.
Funding will allow providers to backfill 75,000 early childhood positions, as workers and management undertake professional development.
Up to 6000 educators will be able to upskill by being financially supported to complete on-the-job teaching placements.
Some providers will be eligible to apply for a share in $18 million in grants of up to $900,000 to set up a new family day care service in an area with limited supply.
Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly said a sustainable early childhood education sector was central to Labor’s reforms.
“These measures have been shaped by our ongoing engagement with the sector, responding to the needs of this vital workforce,” she said.
“Early childhood education is a wonderful career with a clear path for progression. We’re making sure the workforce can access the development opportunities they need.”
Education Minister Jason Clare said the announcement will work to support the skills and training of early educators.
“A quality early childhood education sector is an integral part of Australia’s education system and a critical building block in a child’s life,” he said.
The government will also invest $10.9 million to help social and economic participation of vulnerable people across the country.
Up to 32 organisations nationwide will share in the funding to deliver projects which support young people up to 18, people with a disability or mental health issues, vulnerable women or the unemployed.
-AAP
