October Budget will allocate more than $10m to ACCC inquiry into ECEC costs

The Federal Government will launch an inquiry into the rising cost of early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Australia which will start in early 2023 to be headed up by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

The ACCC inquiry will examine the driving factors behind rising ECEC costs and out of pocket expenses and make recommendations to the Government on ways to ease pressure on families. 

To support the inquiry the Federal Minister for Education will introduce legislation which will make childcare more affordable for 96 per cent of Australian families with children in care. 

“It shouldn’t cost parents more than they earn to put their kids through childcare. But for many families, that’s the challenge they face – when it’s sometimes cheaper to stay at home and take care of the kids than it is to go to work,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers explained.

“Our investment in cheaper childcare is a cost-of-living measure with an economic dividend. For many families, the cost of childcare is an incredible burden. This inquiry is an important part of our plan to help families cope with rising cost-of-living pressures.”

“At the moment about 60 per cent of mothers of children under six who work, do part-time hours,” Minister for Education Jason Clare added.  

“Anyone with kids in early education and childcare knows how expensive it is, knows it’s a massive disincentive to work more hours or more days. A lot of Australians would want to work more, but if they did all of that pay would be gobbled up by the childcare bill. It means it’s not worth it.”

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