THE Gillard government has for the first time opened the door to taxpayer-funded nannies, declaring the commonwealth was prepared to work with the states to regulate the industry as it had done for the family daycare sector.
After Tony Abbott pledged to request a Productivity Commission inquiry into extending the childcare rebate to nannies, the government took a pre-emptive step, declaring regulation must take place first and signalling it would make it happen.
The government had effectively taken the first step towards what could one day be a scheme that attracted subsidies, although sources said it could only do it if the sector was fully regulated, which was a long way off.
It is understood there was still strong resistance to nanny funding in the government, because the cost would be high.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations will today meet with the Australian Nanny Association, which was incorporated last month to push for increased regulation and oversight of the industry.
The association’s goal is for the 50 per cent childcare rebate available to families who use childcare centres to be paid to parents who choose in-home care.
The rebate has been capped at $7500 a year. The Australian Childcare Alliance, representing long day care centres, yesterday called for it to be raised to $8100 and extended to centre workers moonlighting as in-home carers. The alliance also called for parents needing out-of-business hours care to get an additional subsidy, in a blueprint for reform presented to Childcare Minister Kate Ellis yesterday.
Ms Ellis said she was “absolutely supportive” of the nanny association working towards regulating its industry and would help it achieve that goal. “At present there is no nationwide consistency,” she said.
She was of the firm view that “no matter what form of childcare that parents choose, they should be able to have the confidence that there is a minimum standard for quality of care”.
But she declared the industry was a long way off that standard. “The nanny industry is a long way from being able to provide this guarantee at present.
“This is unlike any form of approved care.
“When forms of care like family daycare are regulated we worked with state and territory governments who have the responsibility for legislating these requirements. I would encourage the nanny association to follow a similar path and I would be happy to work with my state and territory colleagues to encourage consistency.”
The association estimates up to 30,000 nannies are working in Australian homes.
Ms Ellis met with childcare groups at a forum in Melbourne yesterday afternoon, building on a number of roundtables which are likely to prompt a policy announcement before the election.
The Australian revealed yesterday that Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick said she wanted a wide-ranging consideration of the childcare problems facing working mothers.
Speaking after a function in Melbourne, Ms Broderick said she would support any move for a broader consideration of the childcare problems facing working mothers.
“We should have a good look at childcare again and all options should be on the table,” she said.
“Where is the national childcare strategy for Australia?
“It would be good to really have a look at that, there were suggestions around the Productivity Commission (doing so).
“I actually think they did a good job on paid parental leave, so maybe this is an area that they could look at as well.”
After Tony Abbott pledged to request a Productivity Commission inquiry into extending the childcare rebate to nannies, the government took a pre-emptive step, declaring regulation must take place first and signalling it would make it happen.
The government had effectively taken the first step towards what could one day be a scheme that attracted subsidies, although sources said it could only do it if the sector was fully regulated, which was a long way off.
It is understood there was still strong resistance to nanny funding in the government, because the cost would be high.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations will today meet with the Australian Nanny Association, which was incorporated last month to push for increased regulation and oversight of the industry.
The association’s goal is for the 50 per cent childcare rebate available to families who use childcare centres to be paid to parents who choose in-home care.
The rebate has been capped at $7500 a year. The Australian Childcare Alliance, representing long day care centres, yesterday called for it to be raised to $8100 and extended to centre workers moonlighting as in-home carers. The alliance also called for parents needing out-of-business hours care to get an additional subsidy, in a blueprint for reform presented to Childcare Minister Kate Ellis yesterday.
Ms Ellis said she was “absolutely supportive” of the nanny association working towards regulating its industry and would help it achieve that goal. “At present there is no nationwide consistency,” she said.
She was of the firm view that “no matter what form of childcare that parents choose, they should be able to have the confidence that there is a minimum standard for quality of care”.
But she declared the industry was a long way off that standard. “The nanny industry is a long way from being able to provide this guarantee at present.
“This is unlike any form of approved care.
“When forms of care like family daycare are regulated we worked with state and territory governments who have the responsibility for legislating these requirements. I would encourage the nanny association to follow a similar path and I would be happy to work with my state and territory colleagues to encourage consistency.”
The association estimates up to 30,000 nannies are working in Australian homes.
Ms Ellis met with childcare groups at a forum in Melbourne yesterday afternoon, building on a number of roundtables which are likely to prompt a policy announcement before the election.
The Australian revealed yesterday that Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick said she wanted a wide-ranging consideration of the childcare problems facing working mothers.
Speaking after a function in Melbourne, Ms Broderick said she would support any move for a broader consideration of the childcare problems facing working mothers.
“We should have a good look at childcare again and all options should be on the table,” she said.
“Where is the national childcare strategy for Australia?
“It would be good to really have a look at that, there were suggestions around the Productivity Commission (doing so).
“I actually think they did a good job on paid parental leave, so maybe this is an area that they could look at as well.”
