Plan to subsidise nanny home care

The Federal Government will introduce a $246 million pilot program to extend subsidies to nanny home care services.

Melissa Price, Federal Member for Durack said subsidised care would be provided to about 10,000 children through the program, especially in middle to low income families.

“The Federal Government understands many families in work and wanting to work find it difficult to access child care. Workers in Durack, from Kununurra to Carnarvon and Moora, such as nurses, police, ambulance officers and shift workers are too often unable to access care or take advantage of government support due to the hours they work," she said.

“The same often applies for families in rural and remote areas and those who have children with special needs, for whom mainstream child care services can be inaccessible, lack the necessary flexibility, or do not cater for specific needs.

“The two year pilot, commencing in January 2016, will determine whether a sustainable program can affordably be put in place for in-home care nanny services.

“The government will be working with employee organisations such as police associations, and key stakeholders to both establish the program and identify participants."

Government assistance will be provided through an hourly subsidy per child towards the cost of using a nanny.

"The subsidy will be paid directly to services and will be adjusted according to family income, consistent with the broader child care subsidy model soon to be announced,” Ms Price said.

“The Productivity Commission Report into Childcare and Early Childhood Learning recommended nannies be an eligible service for government assistance to families. This has been reinforced to the government through our targeted consultation process.

“Nannies are not meant to replace mainstream services, however families need to be able to choose the care type that suits them best, including using nannies in addition to other forms of child care.

“Durack families with young children will receive more support to help them get work and stay in work as further initiatives under the Government’s families package are released in the coming weeks."

More information about the Interim Home Based Carer Subsidy Programme will be available on the Department of Social Services website at www.dss.gov.au