fb f logo blue 100 twtr logo linkdin logo Instagram Tiktok
Guild Insurance
Guild Early Learning
KKTC

UPDATE: Up to 1,000% fee increases imposed by NSW Early Learning Commission

12 October 2026 Latest News

Members would recall back in February 2026 how livid ACA NSW was when we discovered fee increases by up to 1,000%, especially for tax-paying services! (NOTE: Such seismic increases appear to have occured in NSW and Victoria only.)


ACA NSW even then characterised it as "This is a NSW Government entity blatantly gouging and penalising services and ultimatley negatively impacting parents without taking responsibility for the NSW Regulatory Authority failures as exposed by the independent Wheeler Review."


That was in reference to the government's independent review that exposed 66.6% of a sample of Exceeding rated services were also regarded by the same NSW Regulatory Authority as High Risk if not Very High Risk.


Media coverage included the Daily Telegraph's "‘Outrageous’: NSW families to pay more for childcare with licence fees hiked to cover safety costs" (or PDF) on 25 February 2026 and ABC Radio on 22 March 2026.

It therefore remains incomprehensible why the NSW Early Learning Commission (as the new NSW Regulatory Authority since December 2026) completely refused to release information that would justify their decision to increase fees by such extraordinary amounts, as well as what would they spend such new and significant increase in revenue.


It should also be noted that the NSW Early Learning Commission had sought additional time six separate times to answer ACA NSW's two simple questions. And yet after six months of delay, the NSW Early Learning Commission still refused to provide any clarity.


It appears obvious that the NSW Early Learning Commission is refusing to change its mind. As such, ACA NSW has since:


  1. asked the NSW Information and Privacy Commissioner to review the validity of the NSW Early Learning Commission's refusal to release the requested information;

  2. asked the NSW Auditor-General to advise if the up to 1,000% fee increases are fair;

  3. requested the NSW Early Learning Commission to allow services to pay such increased fees by instalments; and

  4. produced a template for NSW-based Approved Providers to e-mail to their local NSW Members of Parliament  (for their service and their residence) expressing their views about such fee increases.

ACA NSW disagrees with the NSW Early Learning Commission's decision to increase their fees to such extraordinary levels. Moreover, especially during a cost-of-living crisis, its decision is tone-deaf. But above all, its lack of accountability and transparency do not give the NSW sector the necessary confidence that as the new regulator it has taken responsibility for its own failures and instead made it all the NSW sector's fault.


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


PUBLISHED: 12 OCTOBER 2026