In late 2018, the Australian Senate Select Committee on Red Tape and the Centre for Independent Studies independently published their reports, both effectively concluding that childcare will continue to be unaffordable unless there is a comprehensive rethink.

Another source of concern is from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s head of early childhood education research Eric Carbonnier said, “the proportion of household expenditure on childcare in Australia was the highest in the world.”

New South Wales’ peak industry body for early childhood education and care is calling for an urgent public inquiry to the ever increasing cost of childcare by reviewing systemic structural issues like supply, red tape, regulation and planning especially when they are more burdensome compared to other Australian state jurisdictions.

“As politicians head to elections in NSW in March and across the nation in May, we can no longer allow all sides of the aisle to ignore the impact of the early childhood sector on NSW families’ cost of living pains,” said Chiang Lim, CEO of Australian Childcare Alliance NSW.

“Families with young children aged 0-5 years old in New South Wales generally do not feel that our political leaders are adequately solving cost of living issues. They say they do by throwing more money at it, but that is still not working, is it. Australian voters are going to put all politicians on notice that the working families can’t be taken for granted any longer,” he said.

“Election time has a way of focusing attention on the things that really matter and these issues should be at the forefront of priorities for all parties.”

Mr Lim said the myriad issues burdening the sector and making childcare less affordable needed the attention of an Upper House Parliamentary Inquiry.

“For example, can the Government tell us why NSW needs four qualified full time teachers for an 80 place childcare centre, yet other Australian states only need one part-time?”

“Can the Government explain why there are waiting lists in some areasyet chronic oversupply problems that is pushing up the cost of childcare in other areas whilemany centre operators are also struggling to make keep afloat?

“Can the Government prove comprehensive benefit to all children, parents and state to justify the extensive regulatory and operational framework imposed?

SIGN THIS PETITION TO ASK THE NSW PARLIAMENT FOR A PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO THE COST OF CHILDCARE FOR NSW CHILDREN AND PARENTS