Media Releases

Shelley Hancock – Minister for Local Government

Wednesday, 25 August 2021

Childcare centres operated by local councils across the state are eligible to access a new Commonwealth support package for early childhood education services impacted by the current COVID-19 outbreak.

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said it has been confirmed that local councils are eligible for the Commonwealth support package, recently announced by Federal Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge, following representations from the NSW Government.

“The 260 council-run childcare centres in NSW provide invaluable and high-quality services, and this new level of support will make a huge difference to families who have been impacted by the current COVID-19 outbreak,” Mrs Hancock said.

“The Commonwealth Government has confirmed that council-run childcare centres are eligible for support as long as they meet the relevant conditions.

“This financial support will provide councils and their childcare educators with some certainty during these very challenging times.”

Payments will be contingent on services:

• expecting attendance below 50 per cent
• waiving gap fees for all families whose children are not attending
• maintaining staffing levels
• agreeing to a fee freeze for the duration of support, and
• not accessing other Commonwealth Government funded supports

Mrs Hancock said this financial support recognises the importance of councils to local communities in NSW. 

“We will continue to work with our 128 local councils to ensure they have the support they need to continue to deliver the essential services communities need,” Mrs Hancock said.

MEDIA: Caterina Polistina | 0439 196 539