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Childcare Is An Attractive Business Opportunity

Decent Essays

Background
Childcare in Australia reflects a market system, providing an attractive business opportunity, as the Commonwealth guarantees up to 50% of the organisations’ income. However, markets and childcare are a poor combination, with the price of quality services increasing, leaving individuals of low socio-economic status (SES) with poorer quality education (Phillips, 2009).
Currently, childcare in Australia encourages inflation and “does not incentivise women to work” (FactCheck, 2015). The Commonwealth provides 3 primary payments, The Childcare Benefit (CCB), The Childcare Rebate (CCR) and the Jobs, Education and Training Childcare Fee Assistance (JETCCFA). Further details are in Appendix A.
The Coalition’s Proposition
The Coalition …show more content…

This essentially doubled the price the consumer was willing to pay. In a supply and demand market, this allowed the supplier to charge more, leading to hyperinflated prices.
The ‘benchmark’ price means that the Commonwealth will pay 50% of the cost of the childcare, up to a certain amount. For example, with a benchmark of $10/hour, parents would receive no more compensation for $30/hour childcare than for $20/hour care.
Changes for low-income-earners (LIEs)
Those earning under $65,000/year may receive up to 12 hours of childcare/week with no activity test, reduced from 24. The Childcare subsidy for these LIEs will be 85% of the fee, or the benchmark price – whichever is lower.
Changes for middle-income-earners (MIEs)
For MIEs, the childcare subsidy will be either 50% of the fees charged, or the benchmark price – whichever is lower.
There will be no cap on the amount of subsidies MIEs and LIEs can receive.
Changes for high-income-earners (HIEs)
HIE’s cap will increase to $10,000 per child, from $7,500 received through the CCR. Their childcare subsidy will be either 50% of fees, or the benchmark price – whichever is lower.
Introduction of Nannies
The Government proposed an In Home Care program, permitting Nannies to deliver services to those whose needs do not suit traditional childcare centres, such shift-workers and those in remote areas.
Budget
$7 Billion was spent on childcare between 2014–2015. The proposed

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