More than 500 services removed from Child Care Finder for not reporting fees

Compliance action has been taken by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) against 521 services because the services had not reported their fees on the Child Care Finder website. 

The website helps parents make informed decisions about childcare options by providing information on fees, services, availability and quality.

Publicly reporting fees is a condition of a business being approved to provide subsidised care under the Child Care Subsidy. Since 2018, fee reporting rates have increased from 50 per cent to about 94 per cent.

Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said the action against 521 services around the country will ensure Australian families have full access to the information they need to make the best possible decision about childcare.

The services have been removed from the Child Care Finder website as fee reporting is a condition of provider approval to ensure transparency.

“With Child Care Finder a go-to for parents seeking childcare in their area, it is vital that families have the right information when choosing a service,” information from the Department read.

“Most providers are doing the right thing. However, we strongly encourage you to ensure your details are current and that you meet your reporting obligations to avoid future action,” the Department added.

Non-compliant providers can have their details returned to the Child Care Finder website by reporting fees for their services to the Government.

For those services who wish to check or update their details, the following steps apply: 

• To update your information and report your current fees, use the Provider Entry Point (PEP) or your third-party software.

• For help, see the task card on updating your details in the PEP or contact your third-party software provider.

• Your service listing will be updated on the Child Care Finder website within days.

Services in Victoria were not included in the crackdown against 521 services because of the current COVID-19 restrictions.

The Departmental circular also included information about Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) payments being streamlined.

ACCS will be calculated and paid as one amount, combining both the ACCS and CCS effective 12 July. 

From 12 July, the combined payments, including payments due to readjustments before CCS end-of-year balancing, will be made directly to the childcare provider, reducing the administrative burden on childcare providers when changes are made to family eligibility and entitlement for retrospective periods.