The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is gearing up to examine the cost and availability of childcare across the country having been issued with Terms of Reference for the inquiry.
Chair of the ACCC, Gina Cass-Gottlieb said the inquiry would look at the costs of operating childcare; the level of competition in the childcare market; the level of demand and supply; and prices charged to consumers, including any impacts of Government policy.
Ms Cass-Gottlieb said the ACCC would examine childcare offered in metropolitan, regional and remote areas of Australia; childcare offered by different types of operators; and different forms of childcare, including centre-based care, outside school hours care and family day care.
“This is an important and welcome opportunity for the ACCC to explore, analyse and report on the factors that drive prices in the childcare sector,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
“We look forward to consulting widely in this inquiry with a broad range of childcare providers as well as parents and carers,” she said.
“Access to affordable childcare that meets the need of growing children and their families is critical for workforce participation and the Australian economy.”
Ms Cass-Gottlieb said the ACCC had already started preparations to undertake the important work with information gathering and engagement with the sector to begin shortly.
“We will conduct a range of consultation processes to ensure a diverse range of childcare operators and consumers across Australia can engage with and contribute to our inquiry,” she said.
“We will be publishing an indicative consultation schedule on our website.”
Ms Cass-Gottlieb said the inquiry was to commence by 1 January with an interim report to be delivered by 30 June and the final report by 31 December.
The inquiry’s four-page Terms of Reference can be accessed at this PS News link.
