Everything you need to know about Victoria’s new childcare permit for essential workers
Accessing childcare will be significantly different from Thursday. Here’s where to get a permit, what to expect with fees if your children aren’t attending, if you can use a babysitter and everything in between.
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Childcare for parents in Melbourne has changed once again, with new rules announced on Friday night.
Here are some of the main questions answered, including the latest advice about who needs a permit.
Can I still send my children to childcare?
Only employees who work in permitted industries can access childcare. The categories of permitted industries are available here. Permitted workers must now apply for a permit to send their kids to childcare and will have to declare that there is no other person who can care for their kids at home.
The government on Friday night clarified that parents both parents do not need a permit to access childcare. A parent with a permit will be able to send their children to childcare if they have a partner who cannot look after their children because they are:
-working from home;
-studying full time;
-who has a disability;
-or has another good reason why they cannot look after their children. The second parent does not need a permit.
When will permits be available?
The permits are needed now and are available on the website above. If you have a permit completed over the weekend, and signed by your employer, you can access childcare on Monday.
Do these rules apply to kinder and schools?
Yes. Mr Andrews said they apply to kinder and school-age children as well. Parents who want to use these services will need a permit to show they are a permitted worker under the new rules.
APPLY FOR A WORKER PERMITS: http://www.vic.gov.au/worker-permit-scheme
What about grandparents or babysitters? Can they come to my house to do childcare?
Permitted workers who have no one else at home to look after their kids can keep their current babysitting or nannying arrangements, the Premier’s office told the Herald Sun on Wednesday night.
The government on Friday night clarified that parents both parents do not need a permit to access babysitters or nannies. A parent with a permit will be able to use such in-home care if they have a partner who cannot look after their children because they are:
-working from home;
-studying full time;
-who has a disability;
-or has another good reason why they cannot look after their children. The second parent does not need a permit.
Whether the workers are on-site or at home, such families can continue to use informal carers for their children, but only while they are working.
However, new arrangements are not permitted. Only one carer – which may be a nanny or babysitter – can be in the house at one time.
Parents should bear in mind grandparents over 70 were an at-risk group.
“We strongly advise parents not to use them for care because of the health risks, but it will not be illegal,” the Premier’s spokeswoman said.
I work from home. Can I still get a childcare permit if I am a “permitted worker”?
Yes.
What types of workers permits will there be?
There will be three types of workers permits for employees in permitted industries.
• Workers who need to leave home to work.
• Workers who need to leave home to work and need to use childcare.
• Workers who need to use childcare but will work from home.
Do I need a permit for work and one for childcare?
A worker will only need to carry one permit.
Will there be penalties for false declarations?
Yes.
What about vulnerable children?
Vulnerable children will be allowed to attend childcare but more details as to how this will be defined will come from the Premier later on Wednesday.
I’m not a permitted worker. Do I have to pay for childcare I am not using?
Parents have been given an additional 30 days of “allowable absences” enabling their children to stay home without paying gap fees of around $40 a day. Parents will be expected to use their existing 42 days of allowable absences first, potentially leaving them without fee-free days in the future. This is not a blanket guarantee, however, as some parents on higher incomes of more than $150,000, or those who have used up all of their childcare rebate, may still be out of pocket.
Will my centre definitely waive my fees if my child is not attending?
Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan said the government could not compel centres to waive the gap, but he expected most would do so thanks to the subsidies that cover around 80 per cent to 85 per cent of their incomes. He said the subsidy had “incentivised providers to waive the gap fee”.
Should I keep my kids enrolled even if they are not attending childcare?
Childcare operators say it is essential children stay enrolled so they can keep their place, keep their days and keep the sector viable. Centres do not get government funding for children who are not enrolled, which represents a major threat to a highly subsidised sector.
How many kids will be attending most centres?
It’s estimated that only one or two in ten children will end up attending childcare. It is possible there some centres will be open but will have no children, but it is not likely there will be many.
What about staff? Do they want to work?
Julie Price from Community Child Care said some staff during the first lockdown were hesitant to work because of safety fears, but most are now reassured by the strict health guidelines and policies in place. They must have a permit to work showing they come under an industry which is allowed to operate. Childcare is such an industry.
What about family day care?
Family day care workers are still seeking clarity over how these changes affect them. Permitted workers with kids in family day care should be able to still attend care as long as they have a permit and no other person at home to care for the children. Social distancing and other strict health measures apply in the home setting.
What did the federal government offer centres and parents?
Education Minister Dan Tehan announced a package of financial assistance, including offering parents 30 days of “allowable absences” where they will not have to pay gap fees while their children stay home. Centres will also be given a 5 per cent additional transition payment and additional help of up to 25 per cent if their attendance rates drop below 30 per cent.
Will this save the sector?
Yes, childcare operators are generally happy, but they stress that parents need to keep their children enrolled to keep the sector going. Parents groups are worried that centres can decide whether or not to charge fees even though people are not attending.
**For more information call Business Victoria on 13 22 15 but there are likely to be high call volumes
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