Child care services not eligible for JobKeeper funding but with high attendances can now apply to be considered for additional support.
From tomorrow (Thursday 9 April 2020), child care centres can apply for a different payment amount if they face exceptional circumstances.
The fund’s guidelines can be found at https://www.dese.gov.au/.
The exceptional circumstances fund is yet another example of how the Morrison Liberal Government is listening to all Australians at this very difficult time for our nation.
As of last Monday, the Government is offering free child care to all families.
Under the plan, the Government will pay 50 per cent of Australia’s 13,000 child care and early learning centres fee revenue up to the existing hourly rate cap based on a point in time before parents started withdrawing their children in large numbers. This is on the condition that services remain open and do not charge families for care.
This delivered a lifeline for centre owners who were struggling to keep their doors open as well as for parents and child care workers.
However, by reason of special circumstances such as their corporate structure or intake of additional children, some child care centres not eligible for the $1500 a fortnight JobKeeper wage subsidy were facing financial challenges.
Council run child care centres will be supported separately by the Victorian Government and I urge Premier Daniel Andrews to immediately announce the details of this support package.
8 April 2020