New package provides support to parents struggling to pay childcare fees because of coronavirus
More financial support is on the way for Victorian parents struggling to pay for childcare because they’ve been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
Victoria
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Victorian parents struggling to pay for childcare will receive hip pocket relief with fee increases put on hold until next year.
Education Minister Dan Tehan will today unveil a $300 million package for families and childcare providers hit by the second wave of the coronavirus in Victoria.
Under the multimillion-dollar plan, families impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns will not have to prove they are working, studying or volunteering to receive subsidies, with the a ctivity test requirement put on hold until April.
Childcare centres that have fewer children will continue to receive a top-up payment worth 25 per cent of pre-COVID revenue until January 31. Currently, Victorian centres can receive payments worth up to 30 per cent of pre-Covid revenue but that support was due to expire on September 28.
After and before-school care providers will receive higher top-up payments worth 40 per cent of revenue when school returns next month.
But any childcare provider that accepts government help will need to guarantee hours for permanent and casual staff, keeping them in work.
Mr Tehan said the funding boost would help Victorian families recover.
“By easing the activity test, Australian families can continue to access up to 100 hours of
subsidised care per fortnight if their work, study or training hours have been impacted
compared to their pre COVID-19 activity,” Mr Tehan said.
“Victorian families and providers will continue to be supported by the Federal Government so
they can get back on their feet following the second wave.”
The Federal Government says some child care providers in other states are now caring for
more children than before the pandemic.
“Outside of Victoria, the number of attendance hours continues to rise steadily with
attendance levels at Centre Based Day Care at 108 per cent of pre-COVID levels,” Mr Tehan said.
He said childcare services can still waive gap fees until the end of 2020 if their service has been closed at the direction of a health authority.
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