The Federal Children's Services Program assists families with dependent children to participate in the workforce and the general community, by ensuring that child care is affordable for low and middle income families and by improving the supply and quality of child care. The availability and affordability of quality child care is crucial for people with family responsibilities who participate or wish to participate in the workforce. This program is administered by the Family and Children's Services Division of the Department of Human Services and Health and the relevant Branches in the Department's State Offices. Since 1983, the number of funded child care places has increased more than five times and will continue to grow. New Outside School Hours Care places will also be established as part of a pilot program to look at affordability, appropriateness of care and service viability.
Government policies keep the cost of child care affordable for low and middle income families.
One form of assistance is Childcare Assistance. This is a means-tested payment to help low and middle income families with the cost of their child care in federally funded services. The amount of assistance depends on the family income, the number of dependent children and the number of children in approved day care. Another important form of assistance is the Childcare Cash Rebate. This rebate has been available since 1 July 1994, and consists of a 30 per cent rebate for all parents who are working, studying or training.