NT’s costliest and cheapest suburbs for childcare

Daycare costs are soaring – and some centres cost 50 per cent more than others. Check our list to compare costs in the NT.

Exclusive: Childcare fees are rocketing above $30,000 a year for Darwin families, who are paying 50 per cent more than parents in other parts of the Northern Territory.

As childcare costs eclipse elite private school fees and mortgage payments, the nation’s costliest and cheapest suburbs for daycare can be revealed.

Darwin’s daycare fees average $130 per day – or $31,200 for full-time care over 48 weeks a year.

Fees average $124 in Wagaman, $123 in Bakewell, $114 in Durack and $111 in Berrimah.

The cheapest daycare is in the The Gap, costing $85 per day, and nearby Alice Springs, costing $89 per day.

Childcare is also available in Malak ($90), Nightcliff ($92) and Stuart Park ($92).

KindiCare founder Benjamin Balk, his wife Julini Halim-Balk and daughters Amelia, 5, and Annelise, 3.

KindiCare founder Benjamin Balk said the analysis of 16,400 centres showed that “low price doesn’t necessarily mean low quality’’.

“It’s important for families to research their options and look at the cost, quality and value for money offered by each individual centre in their suburb and compare them,’’ he said.

“Some parents are willing to pay more for convenience in a childcare centre close to their home or work, while others are looking for a lower price or better quality or value for money, and are happy to travel a suburb over to find the service that’s right for them.’’

The Parenthood executive director Georgie Dent said some families with several children in care are paying more for daycare than for rent or mortgage payments – even after pocketing government subsidies.

“It’s just unsustainable – 90,000 parents are out of the workforce because of the high cost of care,’’ she said.

“Childcare fees increased at twice the rate of inflation last year and there is an expectation fees will jump significantly from July.’’

Ms Dent said higher fees do not always guarantee better childcare.

“Yoga classes and chefs are not going to necessarily improve the quality of early learning yet the cost will be significantly higher,’’ she said.

Ms Dent said higher subsidies – which cost taxpayers $10 billion a year – were failing to make childcare cheaper for families.

“Half the long daycare providers in Australia are for-profit, and while early education and care is a commercial business it’s not realistic to expect there to be downward pressure on prices,’’ she said.

“Our current system is not working.’’

Taxpayers refund up to 85 per cent of the cost of childcare for working families.

The Morrison Government will increase subsidies to 95 per cent for second and subsequent children from July 1 next year.

Childcare experts are demanding free daycare for all kids – even if their parents are out of work or can’t afford the gap fee.

Australian Childcare Alliance president Paul Mondo said some centres charge higher fees because they pay staff above award wages, employ extra carers or offer extra services.

He said inner-city suburbs can be expensive because centres must pay higher rents.