More child care support for more families in Forde is here with the start of the Coalition Government’s new child care system.
Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen MP said the reforms would provide much needed child care relief for local families.
“For too long families in my electorate of Forde have struggled with the cost of child care and a broken system that has restricted their ability to work the hours and days that suit them,” Mr van Manen said.
“Our reforms will mean more subsidies for families working the most and for families earning the least, scrapping the annual rebate cap for most families as well as an hourly rate cap to keep downward pressure on fees.
“In fact in Forde around 8909 families are set to benefit, the highest in Queensland.
“Many families in Forde will be hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year better off under the Coalition Government’s reforms.
Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said the reforms would put more money back in the pockets of hardworking Australian families.
“The Government’s reforms will inject an extra $2.5 billion into the system and are set to benefit almost one million families nation-wide,” Minister Birmingham said.
“We’re also introducing an activity test to ensure subsidies are targeted to those who depend on child care in order to work, train, study or volunteer, or who are looking for work or want to work additional hours.
“This better reflects the needs of modern Australian families and their desire to base their child care around their work, rather than making their work suit their child care. It’s estimated around 230,000 families will increase their workforce participation.
“These changes are key to the Coalition Government’s plan for a stronger economy that helps guarantee the essential services that so many families rely on, such as child care and early learning support.
“Our reforms stand in stark contrast to the Labor Party who voted against more child care support for families and who have refused to outline any plans for Australia’s early childhood education and care system.”
If families haven’t made the switch yet, they should visit www.education.gov.au/childcare or update their details on myGov so they can start to benefit from the new system. Back payments of the new Child Care Subsidy for up to three months are available for families who are yet to make the switch.
