Mar 02, 2015
Music to no one’s ears: The cost of childcare to increase
The cost of childcare in Australia is expensive, inconsistent and fraught, much like the conversations that often surround it.
What it costs to have a child in day care around Australia varies from as little as $60 to as much as $160 a day. Due to short supply and long wait lists there is rarely much choice about where a family sits on the price spectrum; usually a family will pay whatever it costs where they get a position. Price remains a moot issue for families who can’t get a position.
For the lucky families who do find childcare, regardless of the exact amount they pay per day, it’s a rarely an inconsequential cost. Having one child in daycare four days a week with a price tag of $100 a day adds up to $20,000 a year. All families are eligible for up to $7,500 back in subsidies so the maximum out of pocket cost would be $12,500. Double that if you have two children.