Childcare gap fees to be waived for parents in Melbourne

In a major reprieve for parents in lockdown, families will get a respite from having to pay fees for childcare they don’t use — here’s how.

Childcare gap fees will be waived for all parents in greater Melbourne.

Childcare gap fees will be waived for all parents in greater Melbourne, the ACT and parts of NSW, the federal Education Minister has announced.

The move, which will kick in for any area declared a Commonwealth hot spot for more than seven days, offers parents respite from having to pay fees for childcare they don’t use.

The waiver will also apply when childcare services are closed to all parents except essential workers, Minister Alan Tudge said on Sunday.

The gap fee is the difference between the childcare subsidy and the fees charged by childcare services.

It comes on top of a recent move which allows parents to miss childcare days due to the pandemic without using up their allowable absences.

Mr Tudge said the decisions “will take some additional financial pressure off families who are struggling during COVID-19 lockdowns”.

The waiver will also apply when childcare services are closed to all parents except essential workers.

“It is also good for services because it means families are less likely to pull their children out of care all together and services still get the government subsidy, even if children aren’t attending,” he said.

“The measures will give providers more certainty, to help them plan and keep their staff employed so business can continue as usual when the stay at home orders end,” Mr Tudge said.

Opposition education spokeswoman Amanda Rishworth said many families “have been left hundreds of dollars out of pockets over these weeks of inaction from the Morrison government.

“I am pleased they’ve finally listened for families that are currently in lockdown,” she said.

“Labor and the sector have made clear the waiving of fees must be supported by a support package for the early learning sector.”

Originally published as Childcare gap fees to be waived for parents in Melbourne