Summarising the major parties' ECEC offerings

In anticipation of the Federal Election on Saturday, 21 May 2022, ACA NSW discussed the major parties' offerings at last night's ACA NSW Network Meeting (which members can still login and watch). Moreover, ACA National has published ACA's Federal Election Manifesto 2022 outlining our 3 top priorities:

1. Increase affordability for all families
2. End the educator shortage crisis
3. Improve support for children with disability

Thus in summary, the following are the offerings of both major parties in relation to early childhood education and care:

The Hon Stuart Robert MP, acting Federal Minister for Education (Source: ACA National)

• From the Federal Liberal/National Coalition (referring to their Accessible, Affordable Child Care policy):

  • Standing on their record – 280,000 additional children supported (up to 1.3 million children)

  • Funding increased from $6.2b (2013/2014) to $11b (2022/2023)

  • Workplace participation increased to 62.2% in March 2022

  • 90% of families receive CCS of between 50% and 85%

  • An additional 30% CCS for second and subsequent children (up to 95%)

  • Removal of annual subsidy cap of $10,655 for families earning over $190,015

  • CCS eligibility limited to families with household incomes up to $354,305

  • Paid Parental Leave now 20 weeks shared between partners, and also an increase of 2 weeks for single parents

  • In addition, Start Strong funding to be "finally restored" for all NSW-based long daycare services.

The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, Federal Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Learning (Source: ACA National)

• From the Federal Labor Party (referring to their Plan for Cheaper Child Care policy):

  • Increase the maximum CCS rate of 85% to 90% for the first child

  • Increase all CCS rates to be higher than the Coalition for families

  • CCS eligibility limited to families with household incomes up to $530,000

  • Extend similar higher CCS rates for OSHC services

  • To start from July 2023

  • In referring to their policy, they also plan to:

    • “Get the ACCC to design a price regulation mechanism to drive out of pocket costs down for good”

    • “The Productivity Commission [to] conduct a comprehensive review of the sector with the aim of implementing a universal 90 per cent subsidy for all families”

  • A Federal Labor spokesperson clarified the above two points with the following written statement:

    • “We won’t be pre-empting the Productivity Commission study. We will ask them to look at how it could work, and I imagine they will present some options to government. We will consult with the sector on the Terms of Reference.

    • We will also be asking the ACCC to do an industry study, which would look at cost drivers in the sector and what a price regulation might look like. We will consult with the sector on the Terms of Reference.”

In alignment with ACA's Federal Election manifesto, ACA NSW members are also urgently awaiting updates, particularly on these hot topics:

• easier, faster and cheaper visa requirements and processes to import overseas skilled labour to address Australia's severe labour shortages (that were already occuring before COVID); and
• easier, faster and broader overseas qualifications recognition and processes by ACECQA.

For any further information/clarification, please contact the ACA NSW team via 1300 556 330 or nsw@childcarealliance.org.au. 

PUBLISHED: 10 MAY 2022
​UPDATED: 13 MAY 2022