The Albanese government will use the first parliament sitting week to push through childcare reforms, which would include three days of subsidised childcare for most Australian households.
The $426 million plan would guarantee three days of subsidised childcare for all families earning a combined household income of up to $530,000.
Labor’s proposed reform would also scrap the so-called ‘activity test’ which asks parents to prove they are working or studying in order to qualify for government subsidies.
“This is fundamentally about making sure every child gets a great start in life and start school ready to learn,” Minister for Education Jason Clare said.
“At the moment the children who need early education the most can’t access it. They are missing out.
“As a result they start school behind and often never catch up. This will help fix that.”
The government has branded the bill as cost of living help for Australian families doing it tough, along with proposed legislation to offer fee-free TAFE placements.
It is the first step in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s long-held ambition to roll-out universal childcare for Australia.
“We’re building the blocks, building the blocks for a future where every single Australian child and every single Australian family can have access to good quality early childhood education and care,” Minister for Early Childhood Education Anne Aly said today.
An eleventh hour legislation of the bill could prove tricky in what might be the final sitting weeks of parliament before the federal election.
Labor is likely to face pushback from the Coalition and Greens which could mean the legislation won’t pass in the coming weeks.
