The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has reported that more than 2,000 families have responded to its parents and guardians survey, reporting that their return to work was delayed due to a lack of childcare with some of them struggling with ‘extremely expensive’ fees.
According to the Chair of ACCC, Gina Cass-Gottlieb (pictured), the survey is providing critical information for the ACCC’s Childcare inquiry which is to deliver its interim report next month.
The survey closes on 4 June and the ACCC is urging more families to take part.
“We urge more parents and guardians to tell us about their experiences accessing quality and affordable childcare,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
“We are especially looking to hear from parents and guardians living in Queensland and Tasmania,” she said.
“The responses to this survey so far are creating a vivid picture of the issues families are struggling with and providing critical data for our analysis of the childcare sector and its costs and pressures.”
Ms Cass-Gottlieb said the majority of families responding to the survey so far had said their childcare fees are ‘somewhat financially burdensome’ or that they struggle to pay their fees.
She said almost all families said their fees had increased in the past 12 months.
“These preliminary insights from families are providing important perspectives that help inform our evolving understanding of the childcare sector,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
“We appreciate the experiences of families with children with disability are diverse and while this may not be the experience for all, it is an important preliminary insight from the parents and guardians survey.”
She said the parents and guardians survey was open for families with children aged 0-13, or children with a disability aged 0-18.
“The survey can be completed anonymously,” she said.
Parents and guardians from linguistically diverse communities who would like help understanding and responding to the survey can call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
The ACCC survey can be accessed at this PS News link.
