Childcare changes are on the way, but the industry's 'very tired' workforce is struggling

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Parents and guardians will benefit from Labor's promise to increase childcare subsidies and lift the household income threshold from July next year. But the sector is facing staff shortages and thousands of families are missing out.

Jess van der Walt estimates at least one day of her pay a week goes towards out-of-pocket childcare costs.Labor has made several promises including increasing subsidies, raising the household income threshold to $530,000 and getting the ACCC to regulate pricesThe 34-year-old is doing a juggle many Australian families know all too well.

"It is ultimately a three, four-year commitment … but for myself, I guess the advancement of my career is quite important, so it's worth the cost," Ms van der Walt said.While Labor has pledged to get the ACCC to regulate prices and the Productivity Commission to review the sector, in the meantime thousands of families continue to miss out on childcare.

"It's a bit stressful. I'm glad that I still have my partner who can work so we can still be financially stable," she said. But while experts have agreed the changes would initially make care cheaper, they say there is an urgent need to attract more workers to match the demand for places. "COVID has had a major impact upon the sector and on the workforce," Early Learning and Care Council of Australia CEO Elizabeth Death said.Elizabeth Death, CEO of Early Learning and Care Council of Australia, says the pandemic exacerbated issues in the childcare sector.

 

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Something wrong when 2 people on under 530k pa between them need financial assistance to raise their kids What next, help with school fees.

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