This week the Australian Government will introduce legislation to Parliament that will allow First Nations children to get more hours of subsidised child care per fortnight.
From July 2023, families will get at least 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight for each First Nations child in their care and attending child care.
This will directly support Closing the Gap target 4, designed to improve early childhood outcomes for First Nations children. Having access to at least 36 hours of early childhood education and care:
- helps children become school-ready
- improves learning outcomes
- improves development outcomes.
Families will still need to pay the gap fee.
This measure is subject to the passage of legislation. Read the ministerial media release.