Brisbane childcare costs soar as election centres around cost of living

Brisbane childcare prices have skyrocketed in recent years, with Labor seizing on new data as the major political parties face off over the cost of living. SEARCH CHILDCARE COSTS BY AREA

Brisbane childcare prices, with some suburbs already among the most expensive in the country, have skyrocketed 15 per cent in the past three years.

Annual fees within the city can vary by more than $3000 a year, with inner-city areas paying more than $18,000 a year before subsidies compared with outer suburbs on $15,000.

Labor has seized on the new data to say that 125,060 families across Brisbane would be better off under its $6 billion childcare plan.

Families on the highest subsidy under the Coalition’s policy, 85 per cent for families earning up to $70,000, would save $600-900 a year if they move to the highest subsidy under Labor’s plan.

But from March this year, the Coalition already reduced out-of-pocket costs by up to 95 per cent or $185 a week for a second or third child in care. Labor has since committed to keep this policy.

The Coalition say childcare costs rose nationally an average of 3.1 per cent every year under Labor, compared to 1.2 per cent under its government.

The childcare price fight comes as cost of living increasingly becomes the main battleground of this election campaign.

Clontarff marketing manager Patti Lupari, and mother of Zali, 2, said she had been shocked by the cost of childcare and meant they struggled to save, even with two full-time working parents.

Joseph Andrews and Patti Lupari with daughter Zali Andrews, 2. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“Having affordable childcare could mean we can have a second child,” she said.

Labor’s plan provides a 90 per cent subsidy for families earning up to $75,000 a year, tapering down to no subsidy at a $530,000 household income.

The Coalition’s policy provides an 85 per cent subsidy for families earning up to $70,000 a year, tapering down to no subsidy at a $354,000 household income.

Opposition childcare spokeswoman Amanda Rishworth said childcare costs had risen in Brisbane by 15 per cent, based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

“By investing in early education and care we not only give children the best start to life and ease cost of living pressures, we can get more people back to work – particularly women,” she said.

A spokesman for acting Education Minister Stuart Robert said Labor had no credibility on childcare costs, and accused their policy “subsidising millionaires”.

“We are reducing the out-of-pocket costs of quality early childhood education and care, whilst giving Australian families greater choices around work and care,” he said.

Originally published as Brisbane childcare costs soar as election centres around cost of living