Tehan announces $6m Additional Viability Support Payments for OSHC sector in VIC

The Federal Government will provide an estimated $6 million of support to working Victorian families impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown and help them access care outside school hours, Education Minister Dan Tehan announced this morning.

The Government will pay eligible Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) services in Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire an Additional Viability Support Payment, equivalent to 15 per cent of their revenue, in addition to the existing 25 per cent Transition Payment, and as well as the Child Care Subsidy.

The new supplementary payment will be backdated to 20 July 2020, the announcement read, and is intended to support the continued viability of services to provide care for Victorian families.

“We are taking action to ensure Victorian families can still access care as we deal with the current COVID-19 lockdown,” Mr Tehan said, adding that the additional support “will help more than 880 OSHC services to keep their doors open and their staff employed.”

“It will help working families and vulnerable and disadvantaged children to continue to access outside school hours care, relieving pressure on essential workers, who will be reassured their children are being cared for while they do their important work” he added. 

Parents will remain eligible for the gap fee waiver and the flexible arrangements put in place for children who are absent due to COVID-related reasons, Mr Tehan said. 

Eligible OSHC providers in Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire will be contacted by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) in the week beginning Monday 3 August 2020 about the Additional Viability Support Payment.

Providers who can show that attendance has dropped to 40 per cent or less, compared with their reference period, will be able to accept the offer and receive the new 15 per cent lump sum payment for eight weeks.

Further information will be provided in the coming days, including on the department’s website: https://www.dese.gov.au/covid-19/childcare. Readers should be aware that whilst the information above was correct at time of press, changes can and do occur, and the most up to date information should always be sourced from DESE directly. 

To read the release in full, please see here.Providers in Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire can contact the CCS Helpdesk for further information on 1300 667 276.