Australian Families Spend More Money on Childcare Despite Significant Government Funding: ACCC

Education Minister supports the recommendation to name and shame childcare centres that charge exorbitant fees.

General view of activities in the Goodstart Early Learning Centre at Albany Creek in Brisbane, Australia, on Oct. 3, 2018. AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Market forces and the current policy environment have failed to deliver quality and affordable childcare services to the families that need them, Australia’s consumer watchdog has said in its latest report.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) published its second interim childcare inquiry report on Sunday detailing its analysis of childcare services and the government’s childcare subsidy scheme, which reduces the fees paid by parents and guardians.