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AAP
AAP
Politics
Tess Ikonomou

Labor brings forward childcare subsidy changes

Labor's signature policy would guarantee parents three days per week of subsidised childcare. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

Parents would have access to three days of guaranteed subsidised childcare under new laws introduced to the parliament.

On the second day of parliament for the year, Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly brought Labor's signature policy before the House of Representatives.

"The three-day guarantee is about making sure that every child can have the best start in life, that all children are ready to learn and ready to start school," she told parliament on Wednesday.

"Our Labor government believes that every child should have the right to quality, affordable early education. 

"That's why we want to build a universal education system, simple, affordable and accessible for every family, where every child is guaranteed access to at least three days of high-quality early childhood education and care."

The changes would remove the current activity test to guarantee subsidies for families earning up to $530,000.

The Greens have agreed to back the bill in the Senate.

Labor brought forward the bill to this parliamentary fortnight, which could be the last before a federal election is called by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The election is due by May 17.

Expanded subsidies, which came into effect in September 2023, have saved families on average almost $50 a week.

The amount of support granted for childcare rose to up to 90 per cent of costs for families earning up to $80,000.

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