16452 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

16452 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Have there been any changes since 1 November 2023 to eligibility criteria, or assessment and decision-making processes, in relation to applications for the Childcare Subsidy; if so, what were they and when did they come into effect?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised that as of 3 June 2024, changes were made to the Social Security Regulations 2018 to allow the Childcare Subsidy to be paid for top-up payments required by educators for children attending licensed home-based Early Childhood Education (ECE) services that were funded under the 20 hours ECE policy. The changes ensured that the Childcare Subsidy was not payable for hours covered by the 20 hours ECE funding, except where educators required top-up payments for children attending licensed home-based ECE services.