Families in Leichhardt only have a few days left to apply to participate in the Australian Government’s new Nanny Pilot Programme.
Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said the pilot will greatly benefit families who struggle to access child care because of where they live or the hours they work.
“We know the cost and accessibility of child care is a barrier for parents in regional and remote areas, such as here in Far North Queensland. It’s particularly important for those who want to work, work more hours or those who work flexible hours – such as police officers, hospitality and tourism workers, nurses and emergency workers,” Mr Entsch said.
“The Nanny Pilot Programme will help families meet the cost of using a nanny, making another form of subsidised care available to our families.
“This two-year $246 million pilot will help the Government determine how to provide better support for families to access child care in their family home in a way that meets their circumstances,” he said.
Mr Entsch described it as “a great opportunity” for parents who need to use a nanny.
“I encourage families in Leichhardt to put in their applications as soon as possible so they don’t miss out. We have until this Friday to apply,” said Mr Entsch.
Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham said the Nanny Pilot Programme was part of the Australian Government’s Jobs for Families package.
“The Australian Government is investing almost $40 billion in child care over the next four years, including an extra $3.5 billion into the Jobs for Families package to make child care simpler, more affordable and more flexible for families,” Minister Birmingham said.
“Our Jobs for Families package will encourage an estimated 240,000 families to increase their involvement in paid work, including almost 38,000 jobless families.”
Families are eligible for the Nanny Pilot Programme if they earn less than $250,000, both parents (or in the case of a sole parent family, the sole parent) work, train or study at least eight hours a fortnight, and at least one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Applications for families close on Friday 30 October. More information is available at www.dss.gov.au/nannypilot or by phoning 1800 249 873 (business hours)
