Federal Government introduces legislation to support ECEC during emergencies

Legislation was introduced yesterday by the Federal Government, building on the support provided for early childhood education and care (ECEC) during the pandemic, ensuring similar support could be provided during future large-scale disasters or emergencies.

Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge outlined the role that the Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Early Childhood Education and Care Coronavirus Response and Other Measures) Bill 2021 will play in supporting Australian’s during future challenges. 

“We injected nearly $3 billion at the height of the pandemic last year to ensure child care remained available for essential workers and families with vulnerable children,” Mr Tudge said.

“This legislation will give us the flexibility to respond with similar support during future crises.”

The Bill will allow payments to be made, on a discretionary basis, to ECEC services if they are adversely affected by future large-scale emergencies.

The legislation also supports the nine month extension the Government provided to families during the COVID-19 pandemic to meet their income reporting obligations while still being able to access care.

To read the Bill in full, please see here.