Childcare shock for parents from July
THOUSANDS of families will be worse off when the Federal Government’s new childcare subsidies come into effect this year.
Analysis by the Department of Education, released under Freedom of Information, has revealed that from July more than 62,000 Queensland families and more than 93,000 in NSW will be out of pocket.
However, families earning a combined income of up to $185,000 will benefit the most from the childcare changes.
Under the changes, low-income and middleincome families earning a combined income of up to $185,000 will no longer be limited by an annual $7613 cap on subsidised childcare.
Those earning more than $185,000 will benefit from an
increased cap of $10,000, but those earning more than $350,000 won’t receive any subsidies.
Labor’s childcare spokeswoman Amanda Rishworth accused the Turnbull Government of trying to the delay the release of the information, making it difficult for mums and dads to budget for the year ahead.
“More than 279,000 families around Australia will be worse off,” Ms Rishworth told The Sunday Mail.
“Families shouldn’t have to wait until July 2 to find out they will be worse off under the government’s new package. They need to prepare for these changes now.”
But Education and Training Minister Simon Birmingham refuted the accusation, saying that almost one million families would benefit from the package.
“Our plan supports families that need it the most by better targeting subsidies to people earning the least and to families working the most,” Senator Birmingham said.
“It is estimated that the package will encourage more than 230,000 families to increase their workforce participation.”
❝279,000 More than families around Australia will be worse off — Labor childcare spokeswoman Amanda Rishworth