Flexible Childcare
People First policy
Greater Flexibility
People First is calling for childcare payments to be paid directly to parents (subject to welfare checks) so they can decide the best type of care for the child – whether it's a nanny, family day care, a parent or grandparent.
Millions of shift workers, part-timers, and rural families need greater flexibility as many do not work within the hours that childcare centres are open.
This policy will provide greater choice to parents in regard to both parenting and working.
People First believes Governments should not discriminate against parents who cannot use childcare centres due to the irregular hours that shift work entails.
Streamlined Family Assistance Payment Structure
People First will also revamp the numerous Family Assistance packages into one simple payment with consistent means testing. This will include Childcare support, Childcare worker subsidies, Family Part A, Family Part B, Paid Parental Leave and the Newborn supplement. The estimated total cost of these packages is $55 billion.
In collaboration with Treasury to ensure budget neutrality, People First will streamline all the above payments into one payment, tiered into three groups based on the age of the child from 0-6, 6-12 and 12-15. Payments will be higher in the early stages of a child's life before school age, when parental demands are highest to make it easier for parents to stay at home or access higher levels of childcare
Employment rights associated with the Paid Parental Leave will be protected.