Families receiving the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) will be able to accept bushfire fundraising contributions toward their childcare fees without it affecting their official entitlements under changes announced this week.
Minister for Education, Dan Tehan said the Government wanted to make it easier for the generous donations from Australians to make a difference to families impacted by bushfires and to firefighters.
“The Government’s new measure means families impacted by fire and firefighters will receive the full benefit from donations as well as State and Territory Government payments providing fee relief,” Mr Tehan said.
“People have opened their hearts and their wallets for the Australians impacted by bushfires and the brave men and women fighting those fires.”
He said the change would mean affected families had one less thing to worry about.
“The measure will cover the entire summer period for volunteer firefighters in recognition of the extraordinary amounts of time they have spent protecting homes, properties, communities and lives throughout Australia,” Mr Tehan said.
“For families impacted by the bushfire disaster, this measure will apply for a 12-month period to help them deal with the immediate effects of the bushfires and the ongoing recovery of their communities.”
He said the new legislation supplemented Family Assistance Law amendments passed by Parliament late last year, which allowed for certain third parties to contribute to the cost of care for vulnerable and disadvantaged families.