Raising Children Network: the Australian parenting website
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Child care costs and fees

By Raising Children Network
 
 

Figuring out what your family can afford is a starting point for deciding whether to use child care.

The average weekly child care fees for 2006 were:

The average fee charged per session in 2006 for before-school care was $7.83 and for after-school care $11.83.

However, some surveys show that prices are much higher than reported, with a median weekly cost in Victoria of $313, and $348 in New South Wales. While the cost of living is increasing at around 4% a year, child care costs are going up around 10% a year.

Around one in four employees leave work to care for their child because they can’t afford childcare costs. Another quarter reduce their working hours.

Parents can get government assistance with the cost of child care. You can calculate your level of child care assistance on the Centrelink website.

If you have a child with additional or special needs you may be entitled to in-home child care assistance from the government. The government can also provide extra support to child care services to help them meet the needs of your child.

 
  • Last updated14-08-2008
  • Last reviewed05-06-2006
  • References

    Australian Government Department of Family and Community Services (2004).  2004 Australian Government Census of Child Care Services. Commonwealth of Australia

    Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (2006).  2006 Australian Government Census of Child Care Services. Commonwealth of Australia

    Taskforce on Care Costs. Where to now? 2006 Final Report.

  • Acknowledgements

    2004 and 2006 Census of Child Care Services