“Free childcare” to come to an end as CCS roadmap proposed

Federal Minister for Education Dan Tehan has confirmed that the ECEC Relief Package will be switched off on 12 July 2020 and the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) system will return with a number of additional measures designed to support the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector and parents through the transition. 

Commenting on the changes Mr Tehan said “As Australians return to their workplace, businesses reopen and children return to classroom learning, the Government will resume the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to support families to access affordable child care.”

The announcement’s content and timing was consistent with the message of a return to CCS in the not too distant future signaled by Prime Minister Scott Morrison at his press conference on Friday 5 June. 

Key aspects of the transition road map include supports for services via a new transition payment which will be received in addition to any fee revenues, supports for the workforce whereby average employee numbers must be maintained post JobKeeper switch off and supports for families with a reduced activity test requirement enabling 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight and capped fees for the next 11 weeks. 

Mr Tehan completed his announcement with an acknowledgment of thanks to all of the sector for their “hard work and commitment” during the fight against COVID-19. 

CCS will re-commence from 13 July 2020.

To read the Minister’s statement please click here.