The Department of Human Services has reminded Australian families that a new child care and early learning subsidy system is to come into force on 2 July and they need to switch over to enjoy the benefits.
Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham said new data revealed that with just weeks to go, around 673,000 families had already made the switch.
“If you don’t make the switch by 2 July, you could miss out,” Senator Birmingham said.
“Many families will be hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year better off under our reforms but they need to make the switch to the new system.”
He said the change would provide more support for more families, but the switchover was not automatic.
Minister for Human Services, Michael Keenan said the Government believed up to 489,000 families still needed to update their details.
“We’re seeing strong and consistent numbers of families making the switch every day but as we hit the home stretch now’s really the time for the remaining families to act,” Mr Keenan said.
“Over the last few months we’ve been letting families know what they need to do to make the switch.
“While the deadline may have seemed far off in the distance for many people, now it’s just around the corner on 2 July.”
He said all families needed to do to make the switch was go to the online transition portal at www.education.gov.au/childcare and update or give new information about their work, study or volunteering activity and their income.
