Gap fee waiver extended until 31 December 2021 due to COVID-19 continuing to disrupt

The gap fee waiver provision, which allows services who are advised or directed to close by a local authority due to COVID-19, has been extended until 31 December 2021, the Department of Education, Skills and Employment announced recently. 

Originally the gap fee waiver provision was to have ended 30 June 2021. Those services who are advised or directed to close by a Commonwealth, state or territory government authority, must report the closure and any reopening.

Services must state the reason for the closure and report within 24 hours to:

• [email protected]
• The relevant state or territory regulatory authority, and
• The relevant third-party software provider.

State or territory governments may announce a period of restrictions to quell a local COVID-19 outbreak. Sometimes, those restrictions may affect a child care service’s ability to remain open or a family’s ability to attend.

At such times, the Department pledged to monitor the situation and work with local governments and key peak organisations from the sector to consider whether measures of support are needed.

Families seeking advice and information about restrictions in their local area and whether their child care service is affected should visit their local government’s COVID-19 information website or contact their centre operator, the Department said. 

Services can access information on the Department website or contact the CCS Helpdesk on 1300 667 276 or [email protected].