The union representing over 17,000 principals, teachers and support staff across Queensland and Northern Territory non-government schools has welcomed the federal government’s commitment to reforming the problematic childcare parental activity test if they are re-elected next year.
The pledge announced this morning (11 December) is part of a suite of proposed policy changes to improve universal access to early childhood education, including a guaranteed three days of subsidised childcare per week for families earning up to $530,000 per year.
Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) Branch Secretary Terry Burke said the reforms would alleviate existing burdensome requirements imposed on parents before they can access subsidised childcare.
“The proposed major changes to the parental activity test would mean more children would have access to high-quality early childhood education, regardless of their parents’ employment status,” Mr Burke said.
“An effective universal provision removes a fundamental barrier for parents who are looking for work.
“The existing parental activity test requirement is a catch 22 situation - a parent can only access childcare if they have a job and meet the activity test. But they can’t really look for work without an assured access to childcare.
“This initiative gives a parent the assurance they can seek work with a confidence that when they find employment, they will have a childcare place,” he said.
Mr Burke said the changes correct the perverse situation where parents must have a job to meet the parental activity test before being able to access subsidised childcare.
“A recent report by the Productivity Commission confirmed the parental activity test did little to increase workforce participation,” he said.
“The report also recommended all families have access to at least three days of early
childhood education and care, regardless of their parents’ incomes.
“This is an important step to ensuring a system of true universal access,” Mr Burke said.
Mr Burke said the challenge now is to ensure there are enough early childhood
education and care facilities so families can access the provision.
“The market now is in the private sector, with private providers making decisions on
location and price,” he said.
“There needs to be a level of market intervention to ensure centres exist in all suburbs,
including regional and remote locations,” Mr Burke said.
ENDS
About us:
The Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) represents more than 17,000 teachers, school support staff, principals, early childhood education and VET and RTO employees across Queensland and the Northern Territory. www.ieuqnt.org.au
Contact details:
Contact: Emily Campbell, IEU-QNT Communications Officer- [email protected] / 0400746175
