NSW childcare costs: How much you pay in your suburb

New figures have revealed the average price of childcare in suburbs across NSW. Find out where you’ll pay close to $900 a week and which areas have seen the biggest increase. Look up your suburb.

Families across NSW are spending big to send their kids to childcare as new figures reveal average fees in some suburbs are topping more than $900 each working week.

Eight Sydney suburbs have cracked a nationwide top 10 list of most expensive suburbs for childcare as the other parts of the state experienced steep price hikes partly fuelled by an influx of inner city residents relocating to greener pastures.

Topping the list of most expensive suburbs during 2021 was Barangaroo with centres in the inner city suburb costing an average of $176 per day.

Childcare fees are rising across NSW.

Not far behind were five other Sydney suburbs including Rose Bay ($165), the Sydney CBD ($163), Millers Point ($163), the Rocks ($163) and Haymarket ($161).

Also landing in the top 10 were two north shore suburbs – North Turramurra and St Leonards – with centres charging respective average fees of $161 and $155.50.

The figures were published by Careforkids, which compares the cost and quality of childcare centres across Australia.

A quick search of suburbs with the most expensive childcare fees shows some centres have well surpassed their suburb averages.

In Rose Bay, My Stepping Stones – which offers services such as daily master chef programs and yoga classes for youngsters – charges $190 a day for children aged up to two years of age.

A spokeswoman for the centre attributed the cost to the suburb’s “location” in Rose Bay and the services and programs it offers families.

Average fees in some suburbs are creeping towards $190 a day. Stock image.

In Turramurra, Only About Children charges $186 for children aged up to two years of age and the nearby Handprints Turramurra centre charges up to $177.50 in daily fees.

Handprints Turramurra centre manager Jasmine Park said the centre’s fees take into account high rental overheads and the cost of employing more staff above the legislative requirements.

“Our fees might be a little bit higher but the main reasons are the high quality of care we offer and the location – we’re paying a lot of rent here,” she said.

“When we have 12 children in a nursery we’re only required to have three educators – however we always have four who are there to support them and offer extra care.

“We also don’t use agency staff because we want children and families to feel welcome and when they arrive to see familiar faces.”

Toy guns in childcare centres

Australian Childcare Alliance NSW Lyn Connolly said factors behind price increases in the sector could be attributed to “add-ons” offered by some centres along with rising operational costs.

“In different areas, the rents are far more expensive – some centres are paying $6000 in rent, whereas others are paying $2500 and that’s reflected in the fees,” she said.

“Some families also like to think they’re having things like a fully qualified Michelin star chef and add-ons that aren’t required by the legislation. Therefore the fees also have to be higher.

“Then there’s the operational costs – every year wages go up and you also have increases with superannuation, insurance, cost of food, water, council rates and so on.

“We’re not evil people gouging families – the fees have to reflect the costs of running a centre.”

Childcare is becoming increasingly costly for families.

Burraneer based mother Laura Franklin, whose two-year-old daughter attends childcare and is pregnant with her second child, said finding the right centre can be a minefield for families.

“As a new Mum I was surprised by the waiting lists in the area – some childcare centres I applied for when my daughter was born I’m still on the waiting list for,” she said.

“The variance between centres is also huge – at some you have to provide your own food, nappies.

“When weighing up costs, you never want to compromise on care.

“For people who don’t have the luxury of a family they can rely on for care, it can make it really challenging.

“One of the things we’ve had to consider is whether it’s financially viable for me to return to work when our second child is born.

“It can be overwhelming but there are so many benefits of shopping around and using tools to compare prices.”

The figures have also shown sharp fee rises have been recorded in many suburban and regional parts of NSW during 2021.

Care for Kids has attributed the increase to rising demand for education in outer suburbs along with an influx of inner city families relocating as a result of the pandemic.

Just west of Dubbo, the suburb of Narromine recorded the state’s largest increase in average fees during 2021 with prices rising $32 to $122 per day.

Parents in the Wollongong suburb of Tarrawanna meanwhile forked an average $32 more for childcare in 2021 as fees increased to $120 per day.

Wiley Park, South Granville, West Pymble, Pennant Hills and North Rocks also had fees increasing by averages of more than $20 a day.

Care for Kids spokeswoman Lauren Simpson said the childcare sector was also feeling the effects of pandemic-induced price rises.

The current skills shortage, particularly in regional and rural areas but increasingly in metropolitan areas as well, combined with the growing demand for early education is putting pressure on childcare centres to be able to recruit suitably qualified staff,” she said.

“As a result, childcare providers are being faced with a competitive wage market and other

increasing costs.

“It’s important for families to do their own research when selecting the right childcare option for them.”

The Federal Government has released changes to child care subsidies due to come into effect in March which it said was aimed at easing financial pressure on working families sending children to childcare.

The government will also remove the cap on families earning more than $190,015 which is said would encourage “more parents, particularly mothers, to return to work or take on more hours if they choose to.”

THE AVERAGE COST OF CHILDCARE IN YOUR SUBURB

Barangaroo – $176

Rose Bay – $164.6

Sydney – $163.5

The Rocks – $163

St Leonards – $155.5

Niagara Park – $155.3

Riverview – $155

Vaucluse – $154.67

Mosman – $153.4

Lindfield – $151.1

Crows Nest – $150.6

Coogee – $150.3

Bilgola – $150

Maroubra Junction – $150

Double Bay – $149.5

Balmain – $148.67

Surry Hills – $148.5

Waverley – $148.3

Bondi Junction – $147.15

Glebe – $145.67

Erskineville – $145.3

Roseville – $145.3

Chatswood – $144.2

Macquarie Park – $142.4

Homebush Bay – $142

Lilyfield – $141.5

Wahroonga – $140.5

Artarmon – $140.4

East Lindfield – $140

Lane Cove North – $140

South Turramurra – $140

Killarney Heights – $139.5

Rhodes – $139.5

Leichhardt – $139.3

Homebush – $137.3

Annandale – $137

Avalon – $136.67

Tempe – $135.5

Lane Cove – $135.3

Coramba – $135

Strathfield – $135

Cammeray – $134.5

Crestwood – $134

Sydney Olympic Park – $134

Burwood – $133.8

Queanbeyan – $133.8

Ultimo – $133.7

Frenchs Forest – $133.5

Beacon Hill – $133.5

Rouse Hill – $133.1

Beverley Park – $133

Moonee Beach – $133

Normanhurst – $133

Ryde – $132.725

West Pennant Hills – $132.4

Kensington – $132.3

Newtown – $131.8

Five Dock – $131.7

Bronte – $131.2

Harbord – $131

Malabar – $131

Marsfield – $131

South Coogee – $130.1

Annangrove – $130

Haywards Bay – $130

Strathfield North – $130

Zetland – $129.67

West Ryde – $129.6

Fountaindale – $129.5

Manly – $129.4

Haberfield – $129.3

Merewether Heights – $129

The Junction – $129

Epping – $128.9

Marrickville – $128.9

Mona Vale – $128.5

Rosebery – $128.5

Maroubra – $128.3

Naremburn – $128.3

Pymble – $127.898

Narellan Vale – $127.6

North Sydney – $127

Homebush West – $127

West Wyalong – $127

Bondi – $126.67

Hornsby Heights – $126.5

Westdale – $126.5

Concord – $126.2

Acacia Gardens – $126

Chisholm – $126

Ambarvale – $125

Ashbury – $125

Lochinvar – $125

North Kellyville – $125

The Ponds – $125

Wamberal – $125

Eastwood – $124.3

Hornsby – $124.2

Stanhope Gardens – $124

Moruya – $123.8

Oatley – $123.5

Randwick – $123.3

Cherrybrook – $123.2

Fairlight – $123

Googong – $123

Monterey – $123

Taminda – $123

Oatlands – $122.75

Mascot – $122.7

Condell Park – $122.6

Round Corner – $122.4

Marsden Park – $122.3

Kellyville – $122.1

Corrimal – $122

Hillsdale – $122

Mount Colah – $122

Narromine – $122

Pottsville – $122

Kellyville Ridge – $122

Byron Bay – $121.6

Newcastle West – $121.7

Asquith – $121.5

Dural – $121.1428571

Bardia – $121

Oran Park – $121

South Maitland – $121

Waitara – $120.67

Freemans Reach – $120.5

Castle Hill – $120.3

Beecroft – $120

Cordeaux Heights – $120

Kareela – $120

Koonawarra – $120

Merewether – $120

North Tamworth – $120

South Granville – $120

St Ives Chase – $120

Tarrawanna – $120

Wadalba – $120

West Pymble – $120

Wiley Park – $120

Woodcroft – $120

Brookvale – $119.7

Harrington Park – $119.6

North Parramatta – $119.6

Kiama – $119.5

East Maitland – $119.3

Blaxland – $119

Cardiff South – $119

Baulkham Hills – $118.9

Belrose – $118.55

Gymea – $118.5

Ocean Shores – $118.5

Alexandria – $118.4

Hurstville – $118.4

Rutherford – $118.1

Chippendale – $118

Smeaton Grange – $118

Temora – $118

Vineyard – $118

Casuarina – $117.75

Bathurst – $117.67

Gregory Hills – $117.7

Chifley – $117.6

Abbotsford – $117.5

Terrey Hills – $117.5

Botany – $117.3

Berkshire Park – $117

Gwynneville – $117

Nelson Bay – $117

Robin Hill – $117

Wilton – $117

Bangor – $116.75

Glenmore Park – $116.6

Camperdown – $116.5

Schofields – $116.5

Boorooma – $116

Rossmore – $116

Summer Hill – $116

Bonnyrigg Heights – $115.5

Wollongong – $115.5

Glenhaven – $115.3

Pennant Hills – $115

Riverstone – $115

Woronora Heights – $115

Narraweena – $114.75

Narrabeen – $114.5

Maitland – $114.3

Gobbagombalin – $114

Hamilton – $114

Umina – $114

Wingham – $114

Albion Park Rail – $113.75

Canterbury – $113.67

Austral – $113.625

Kingsgrove – $113.5

Ashfield – $113.4

Pemulwuy – $113.3

Blackbutt – $113.2

Avoca Beach – $113

Fern Bay – $113

Mount Hutton – $113

Salt Ash – $113

Terranora – $113

St Clair – $112.95

Miranda – $112.9

Tweed Heads South – $112.8

Bexley – $112.67

Banora Point – $112.55

Berkeley Vale – $112.5

Dapto – $112.5

Rydalmere – $112.5

Parramatta – $112.45

Caringbah – $112.3

Beverly Hills – $112.3

Merrylands West – $112.3

Orange – $112.1

Beaumont Hills – $112

Girraween – $112

North Boambee Valley – $112

North Rocks – $112

Oakville – $112

West Hoxton – $111.8

Morisset – $111.8

Northmead – $111.67

Seaforth – $111.6

Fletcher – $111.5

Ourimbah – $111.3

Gunnedah – $111.17

Grand – $111.1

Kotara – $111

Terrigal – $111

Winmalee – $111

Croydon – $110.7

Bankstown – $110.7

Dee Why – $110.7

Maryland – $110.67

Padstow – $110.67

Orchard Hills – $110.5

Thornton – $110.5

Ingleburn – $110.425

Singleton – $110.3

Narellan – $110.17

Birrong – $110

Bulli – $110

Earlwood – $110

Helensburgh – $110

Peakhurst – $110

Primbee – $110

Sutton – $110

Sylvania – $110

Turrella – $110

Carlton – $109.8

Figtree – $109.75

Cardiff – $109.6

Aberglasslyn – $109.5

Kingsford – $109.5

Lavington – $109.5

Lidcombe – $109.5

Lismore – $109.5

Milperra – $109.5

Ropes Crossing – $109.5

Winston Hills – $109.4

Belfield – $109.3

Hammondville – $109.3

Revesby – $109.3

Bangalow – $109

Cameron Park – $108.6

Georges Hall – $108.6

Spring Farm – $108.6

Hobartville – $108.5

Toukley – $108.5

Westmead – $108.5

Thrumster – $108.3

Riverwood – $108.1

East Hills – $108

Morpeth – $108

Narwee – $108

Pelican – $108

Picnic Point – $108

South Nowra – $108

Waratah – $108

Wentworthville – $107.9

Lake Haven – $107.5

Plumpton – $107.5

Prestons – $107.5

Regents Park – $107.5

Carlingford – $107.3

Chinderah – $107

Chipping Norton – $106.6

Warners Bay – $106.6

Toronto – $106.6

Tumbi Umbi – $106.5

Bonnet Bay – $106.5

Matraville – $106.5

Shoalhaven Heads – $106.5

Warrimoo – $106.5

Gosford – $106.3

Kincumber – $106.3

Tanilba Bay – $106.3

Mayfield – $106.1875

Kogarah – $106.1

Belmore – $106

Beresfield – $106

East Gosford – $106

Glenfield – $106

West Nowra – $106

Woy Woy – $106

Quakers Hill – $105.8

Croa – $105.75

Nowra – $105.712

Kariong – $105.67

Raaf Richmond – $105.6

Broadmeadow – $105.6

Merrylands – $105.5

Warabrook – $105.5

Penrith – $105.3

Salamander Bay – $105.3

Dundas – $105

Eastern Creek – $105

Forest Hill – $105

Harris Park – $105

Kingswood – $105

Lambton – $105

McGraths Hill – $105

Menai – $105

Port Kembla – $105

Bligh Park – $104.83

Ermington – $104.8

Heckenberg – $104.8

Minto – $104.67

Toongabbie – $104.5

Berowra Heights – $104.5

Penshurst – $104.5

Woolgoolga – $104.5

Branxton – $104.3

Currans Hill – $104

Emu Plains – $104

Oxford Falls – $104

Berowra – $103.9

Broulee – $103.75

Kemps Creek – $103.6

Goulburn – $103.625

Merimbula – $103.5

Erina – $103.3

Murwillumbah – $103.3

Tamworth – $103.2

Deniliquin – $103

Leppington – $103

Springwood – $103

Moorebank – $102.62

Elderslie – $102.5

Garden Suburb – $102.5

Milton – $102.5

Chester Hill – $102.4

Grafton – $102.3

Panania – $102.17

Flinders – $102.16

Bogangar – $102

Camden – $102

Cessnock – $102

Hinchinbrook – $102

Mullaway – $102

Newport – $102

Silverdale – $102

Tintenbar – $102

Yagoona – $102

Casula – $101.8

Claremont Meadows – $101.8

Wyong – $101.7

Lakemba – $101.62

Hazelbrook – $101.5

Wagga Wagga – $101.5

Cranebrook – $101.3

Raby – $101.3

Punchbowl – $101.15

Woongarrah – $101.1

Booker Bay – $101

Leeton – $101

Old Guildford – $101

Springdale Heights – $101

St Helens Park – $100.7

Cabramatta – $100.5

Woonona – $100.5

Fairfield – $100.2

Auburn – $100

Englorie Park – $100

Lake Cathie – $100

Lake Illawarra – $100

Richmond – $100

Wallsend – $100

South Windsor – $99.7

St Marys – $99.75

Harwood – $99.5

Worrigee – $99.5

Cecil Hills – $99

Greta – $99

Nyngan – $99

San Remo – $99

Tumbarumba – $99

Engadine – $98.8

Forbes – $98.75

Kirrawee – $98.6

Albury – $98.3

Greenacre – $98.2

Marayong – $98.2

Smithfield – $98

South Tamworth – $98

Granville – $97.83

Port Macquarie – $97.6

Blayney – $97.5

Killarney Vale – $97.5

Thornleigh – $97.5

Lurnea – $97

Macquarie Fields – $97

Old Toongabbie – $97

Scone – $97

Thirroul – $97

Campbelltown – $96.9

Bass Hill – $96.75

Wetherill Park – $96.75

Balgownie – $96.33

Blacktown – $96

Doonside – $96

Tumut – $95.83

Pambula – $95.8

Fairy Meadow – $95.5

Muswellbrook – $95.33

Colyton – $95

Hebersham – $95

Mount Pleasant – $95

Mount Victoria – $95

Warwick Farm – $95

Roselands – $94.75

Sutherland – $94.667

Erskine Park – $94.6

Canley Vale – $94.3

Liverpool – $93.5

Warnervale – $93.5

Arncliffe – $93.4

Cringila – $93

Wattle Grove – $93

Blair Athol – $92.75

Bateau Bay – $92.5

Sanctuary Point – $92.5

Raymond Terrace – $92.3

Rosemeadow – $92.2

The Oaks – $92

Green Valley – $91.9

Mount Druitt – $91.5

Pendle Hill – $91

Warrawong – $90.75

Armidale – $90.667

Tweed Heads – $90.42

Bonnyrigg – $90

Gunning – $90

Holmesville – $90

Sandy Beach – $90

Springfield – $90

Tenterfield – $90

Taree – $89.3

Bomaderry – $89

Gundagai – $89

Yamba – $89

Gorokan – $88.5

Tahmoor – $88.5

Dungog – $88

Lake Munmorah – $88

Warilla – $88

Bossley Park – $87.5

Colo Vale – $87.5

Corindi Beach – $87.5

Kempsey – $87

Sefton – $86.83

Tuggerawong – $86

Wee Waa – $86

Narrabri – $85.875

Narrandera – $85.3

Fairfield West – $85

Ulladulla – $85

Wallaga Lake – $85

Guildford – $84.4375

Abermain – $83.5

Gulgong – $83

Bellingen – $82.5

Mount Pritchard – $80.7

Glendale – $80

Nabiac – $80

Laurieton – $78.5

Manilla – $78

Boambee – $76.667

Old Bar – $75.53

Constitution Hill – $74.5

Meadowbank – $72

Balranald – $71.75

Callala Bay – $71

Bidwill – $69

Cowra – $65.7

Barham – $63