Childcare gap fees waived for kids with Covid-19 until June 2023

Childcare gap fees will be waived and places held for kids absent with Covid-19, as the federal government extends pandemic supports to ease cost-of-living pressures on families.

Childcare gap fees will be waived and places held for kids absent with Covid-19, as the federal government extends pandemic supports to ease cost-of-living pressures on families.

The emergency childcare support measures introduced during the pandemic were due to expire next week, but The Daily Telegraph can reveal they will now continue until June 2023.

As a result families will not be left out-of-pocket if their child gets Covid-19 and is unable to attend care, with centres able to waive gap fees and still claim the government subsidy.

The number of days a child can be absent from childcare without losing their place will also be kept at 52 days in a year, which is 10 more than is normally available.

On average about 19 childcare centres around Australia are temporarily closed each day due to Covid-19 infections and influenza.

Daycare worker Theresa Willet with Lorenzo Rodriguez, Aleena El-Masri, Muse Zaeng. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Education Minister Jason Clare said the extension of the childcare support measures was “just common sense”.

“Keeping kids enrolled in childcare is good for them, good for families and good for the economy,” he said.

Education Minister Jason Clare says the childcare supports will help families. Picture: John Feder/The Australian

Labor campaigned strongly on its promise to deliver cheaper childcare at the 2022 election, with Anthony Albanese arguing there was an economic benefit in making it easier for women to enter the workforce.

The Prime Minister has repeatedly said increasing access and affordability of early education would drive up productivity, though Labor’s own policy is not due to take effect until July next year.

Early Childhood Minister Anne Aly said the additional support was about the government recognising the “value of early education”.

“Early childhood education is an investment in our children, our youth, and our future,” she said.

Childcare supports introduced during the pandemic will be extended until June 2023. Picture Emily Barker

The extension of the Covid support measures in the interim is expected to ensure parents are not left out-of-pocket if their child gets sick, with childcare operators able to waive gap fees but still earn the subsidy to help cover operation costs.

To receive the support childcare providers must use the government notice of a positive Covid-19 test as a form of evidence for the extra absences.

In addition to a child qualifying if they get Covid-19 or at higher risk of severe disease, gap fees can also be waived if the child is absent because an immediate household family member has the virus.

Centres are also eligible for support if closed or partially closed due to staff falling ill.