Child Care News

Loophole in work test for childcare benefit
The Australian - Sue Dunlevy - April 23, 2011

ONE in seven families using childcare have at least one parent who is not working, training or studying, the Department of Employment Education and Workplace Relations has revealed. These 81000 families can currently receive up to 24 hours of childcare...

Rise of the supermum: Women back at work weeks after giving birth
NEWS.com.au - Elissa Doherty - April 21, 2011

Financial pressures, fear of missing out on a promotion, cost of childcare, lack of flexible working conditions and a love of the job are among the reasons cited. Experts say the Federal Government's paid parental leave scheme, introduced on January 1...

Opposition glad childcare rebate will stay
NEWS.com.au - April 19, 2011

The coalition's childcare spokeswoman Sussan Ley welcomed the move describing the proposal to cut the rebate as a "ham-fisted cash grab". "I hope the thousands of parents upset by these scare tactics can sleep a little easier," she said in a statement...

Parent backlash forces Wayne Swan to retreats on child care cuts
NEWS.com.au - Simon Benson - April 19, 2011

A BUDGET proposal to means test the 50 per cent childcare rebate for families was rejected by Treasurer Wayne Swan''''s razor gang after a marathon session yesterday. Government sources revealed Mr Swan ruled out the measure...

Business warns against childcare means test
The Australian - Sue Dunlevy - April 19, 2011

EMPLOYERS have warned the Gillard government that they would oppose any means test on the childcare rebate in the budget if it reduces women''''s participation in the workforce and exacerbates the nation''''s skills shortage. Australian Chamber of Commerce...

Tearful parents protest as up to 64,000 may face childcare rebate cuts in federal Budget
NEWS.com.au - Malcolm Farr - April 18, 2011

THE threat of thousands of families losing their childcare assistance in the May Budget today caused federal MPs to be flood by calls from worried parents, some in tears. By one estimation, about 64,000 families could be cut off...

Childcare groups warn against means-testing
The Australian - Lauren Wilson - April 18, 2011

CHILDCARE groups have urged the Gillard government not to means-test the childcare rebate as its razor gang looks to make savings ahead of the May 10 budget. Childcare Alliance Australia president Gwynn Bridge yesterday said the government must rule...

Shrinking tax base threatens 50 per cent childcare rebate
The Age - Peter Martin - April 18, 2011

TREASURER Wayne Swan has refused to rule out means-testing the childcare rebate as new figures show tax takings shrinking. Finance department figures for the end of February show budget revenue $3.4 billion below what was predicted in the November ...

Call to spare families from budget cuts
Sydney Morning Herald - Susanna Dunkerley - April 17, 2011

The Gillard government is reportedly considering setting an income test for the 50 per cent childcare rebate, which is not currently means-tested but capped at $7500 a year. It is considering treating the payment like the separate childcare benefit...

Gastro bug bites capital care centres
The Canberra Times - Julieane Strachan - 17 Apr, 2011

GASTRO outbreaks have been detected at 11 child-care centres in the ACT during the past few months alone, prompting warnings from health officials for people to wash their hands regularly and to take care not to pass the infection around...

Childcare rebate could be cut in Federal Budget
NEWS.com.au - April 16, 2011

CHILDCARE rebates are in the Budget firing line as the Gillard Government confronts a big hit to tax revenues. A crackdown that would enforce a tougher work test for parents claiming childcare assistance or a means test for high-income earners is...

How would cutting the child care rebate affect you?
NEWS.com.au - Alison Godfrey - April 16, 2011

Earlier this week there was some speculation over the latest Federal Government Budget. And today it is still continuing. The Labor Government says this Budget is going to hurt. They say they will be cracking down on welfare. And for families...

Help for childcare hubs to carry on
NTNews.com.au - Ellie Turner - April 16, 2011

THE Territory Government is to spend $258,000 for a full-time bureaucrat and grants to ensure childcare centres do not go bankrupt. Non-profit community childcare is a "vibrant and loving" environment for children. But committees often lack business…

Care costs set to jump $15 a child
The West Australian - Andrea Mayes and Megan Bailey - April 16, 2011

Childcare costs in WA are set to rise significantly as Federal Government changes and a union-led campaign to lift pay rates get under way, providers fear. High-income earners could be hit even harder as the Government refuses to rule out means-testing...

Parents happy to dig deep for kids
The West Australian - Andrea Mayes and Megan Bailey - April 16, 2011

While many parents struggle to afford child care, others are happy to pay more than $100 a day to ensure their child gets top-quality care. Subiaco School of Early Learning charges parents up to $120 a day for a minimum of two days a week and is so...