Coronavirus Australia: How do I apply for free childcare?

With many families stressed about coronavirus, still going to work and looking after their children, free childcare is a welcome relief, but how do you apply?

About one million families are set to receive free childcare during the coronavirus pandemic.

But who exactly is in that one million and how do you apply?

Under the new plan announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week, the Government will pay half the reasonable fee cap to centres for the next six months as long as they remain open and don’t charge parents any fees.

The Government estimates these payments to centres will be worth $1.6 billion over the coming three months.

Here news.com.au answers all your questions.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE CHILDCARE?

Parents who are currently sending their kids to childcare will be able to do so for free and don’t have to lift a finger.

Those who will get first priority are essential workers and parents of vulnerable children.

Childcare centres that receive the payments from the Government must try to re-enrol children who have recently been taken out of childcare.

If a centre has spaces open, parents who hadn’t previously had their kids in childcare can enrol them for free.

The Government will waive the gap fee for returning parents, backdated to March 23.

Means-testing arrangements are no longer in place.

READ MORE: The only valid excuses for going outside

Working parent Gemma Chohdri with her daughter Elsie, 2, is happy that childcare will be supported during the COVID-19 crisis. Picture: Glenn Campbell

HOW MANY CHILDCARE CENTRES IN AUSTRALIA?

There are as many as 13,000 childcare and early learning services across the country.

The new package is designed to allow as many as possible to keep their doors open for workers and vulnerable families who need those services.

HOW TO APPLY FOR FREE CHILDCARE?

There is no Government application process for parents.

New funding goes directly to childcare centres. You should not have to pay the centre a fee once the new system kicks in next week.

Daniel Harper with his daughter Olivia. Picture: Alix Sweeney

WHEN DOES FREE CHILDCARE START?

The funding will apply from April 6, based on the number of children who were in care during the fortnight leading into March 2, whether or not they are attending services.

The arrangements will be in place up until June 30 with a review after one month and plans for a further three months after the end of the financial year.

SHOULD I SEND MY CHILD TO DAYCARE?

Despite many parents choosing to keep their children home, Mr Morrison has insisted it’s still safe to your kids to childcare.

“What we always have said in the health advice has been very clear and it is has not changed,” he said this week.

“There is no health risk to children going to school or going to childcare. So that hasn’t changed. Absolutely no change.

“That has been the clear and consistent advice that the Government has received and that I have relayed on these issues, as has the premiers.

“They all have said that. The health advice is clear. Children can go to childcare and children can go to school.”