Child care services in the below regions were able to waive gap fees, access additional allowable absences and get business continuity payments for the dates indicated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business continuity payments were based on a service’s revenue in a specified fortnight before the lockdown.
Learn more about COVID-19 support for the early childhood education and care sector.
New South Wales
Sydney
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
19 July – 17 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
24 June – 17 October 2021
Business continuity payment
23 August – 17 October 2021
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
19 July – 24 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
24 June – 24 October 2021
Business continuity payment
23 August – 31 October 2021
- Bayside
- Canada Bay
- City of Sydney
- Inner West
- Randwick
- Waverley
- Woollahra
Greater Sydney
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
19 July — 17 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
27 June — 17 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August — 17 October 2021
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
19 July — 24 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
27 June — 24 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August — 31 October 2021
- Blacktown
- Blue Mountains
- Burwood
- Camden
- Campbelltown
- Canterbury/Bankstown
- Central Coast
- Cumberland
- Fairfield
- Georges River
- Hawkesbury
- Hornsby
- Hunters Hill
- Ku-ring-gai
- Lane Cove
- Liverpool
- Mosman
- North Sydney
- Northern Beaches
- Parramatta
- Penrith
- Ryde
- Shellharbour
- Strathfield
- Sutherland Shire
- The Hills Shire
- Willoughby
- Wollondilly
- Wollongong
Western NSW
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
19 August – 17 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
12 August – 17 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 17 October 2021
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
19 August – 24 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
12 August – 24 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October 2021
- Bathurst
- Bourke
- Dubbo
Newcastle and Hunter
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
13 August – 17 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
6 August – 17 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 17 October 2021
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
13 August – 24 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
6 August – 24 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October 2021
- Newcastle
- Cessnock
- Lake Macquarie
- Maitland
- Port Stephens
Regional NSW
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
22 August – 17 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
15 August – 17 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 17 October 2021
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
22 August – 24 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
15 August – 24 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October 2021
- Broken Hill
- Eurobodalla
- Goulburn Mulwaree
- Kiama
- Lithgow
- Queanbeyan-Palerang
- Shoalhaven
- Wingecarribee Shire
Muswellbrook
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
29 September – 17 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
29 September – 17 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 17 October 2021
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
29 September – 24 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
29 September – 24 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October 2021
- Muswellbrook
Snowy Monaro, Kyogle, Narromine
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
1 October – 17 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
1 October – 17 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 17 October 2021
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
1 October – 24 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
1 October – 24 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October 2021
- Snowy Monaro
- Kyogle
- Narromine
Oberon
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
30 September – 17 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
30 September – 17 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 17 October 2021
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
30 September – 24 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
30 September – 24 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October 2021
- Oberon
Lismore
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
3 October – 17 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
3 October – 17 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 17 October 2021
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
3 October – 24 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
3 October – 24 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October 2021
- Lismore
Regional NSW
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
11 October – 17 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
11 October – 17 October 2021
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
11 October – 24 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
11 October – 24 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October 2021
- Cowra
- Central Darling
- Hilltops
- Mid-Western Regional
- Walgett
- Orange
- Brewarrina
- Gilgandra
- Bega Valley
- Blayney
- Bogan
- Cabonne
- Dungog
- Forbes
- Narrabri
- Parkes
- Singleton
- Upper Hunter Shire
- Albury
- Armidale Regional
- Ballina
- Balranald
- Bellingen
- Berrigan
- Bland
- Byron
- Carrathool
- Clarence Valley
- Cobar
- Coffs Harbour
- Coolamon
- Coonamble
- Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional
- Edward River
- Federation
- Glen Innes Severn
- Greater Hume Shire
- Griffith
- Gunnedah
- Gwydir
- Hay
- Inverell
- Junee
- Kempsey
- Lachlan
- Leeton
- Liverpool Plains
- Lockhart
- Mid-Coast
- Moree Plains
- Murray River
- Murrumbidgee
- Nambucca
- Narrandera
- Port Macquarie-Hastings
- Richmond Valley
- Snowy Valleys
- Tamworth Regional
- Temora
- Tenterfield
- Tweed
- Unincorporated NSW
- Upper Lachlan Shire
- Uralla
- Wagga Wagga
- Walcha
- Warren
- Warrumbungle Shire
- Weddin
- Wentworth
- Yass Valley
Jervis Bay
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
22 August – 17 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
15 August – 17 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 17 October
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
22 August – 24 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
15 August – 24 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October
- Jervis Bay
Suburbs
Richmond Valley Suburbs
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
2 October – 17 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
2 October – 17 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 17 October
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
2 October – 24 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
2 October – 24 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October
- Casino
Central Darling Suburbs
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
22 August – 17 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
15 August – 17 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 17 October
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
22 August – 24 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
15 August – 24 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October
- Menindee
- Sunset Strip
- Wilcannia
Mid Coast Suburbs
All care types
Gap fee waiver
5 – 10 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Black Head
- Booti Booti
- Brimbin
- Charlotte Bay
- Croki
- Dumaresq Island
- Glenthorne
- Jones Island
- Kundle Kundle
- Blueys Beach
- Bohnock
- Cabbage Tree Island
- Cundletown
- Coomba Bay
- Diamond beach
- Elizabeth Beach
- Hallidays Point
- Kiwarrak
- Lansdowne
- Forster
- Green Point
- Pacific Palms
- Sandbar
- Shallow Bay
- Smiths Lake
- Bootawa
- Boomerang Beach
- Darawank
- Failford
- Ghinni Ghinni
- Hillville
- Koorainghat
- Taree
- Tarbuck Bay
- Tiona
- Tuncurry
- Wallingat
- Wallis Lake
- Chatham
- Coomba Park
Gunnedah
All care types
Gap fee waiver
5 – 10 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Gunnedah
Port Macquarie
All care types
Gap fee waiver
29 September – 5 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Port Macquarie
Cowra
All care types
Gap fee waiver
21 September – 5 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
21 September – 5 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 17 October 2021
- Cowra
Hilltops
All care types
Gap fee waiver
18 September – 1 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
18 September – 1 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 3 October 2021
- Hilltops
Walgett
All care types
Gap fee waiver
19 August – 1 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
12 August – 1 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 3 October 2021
- Walgett
Regional NSW
All care types
Gap fee waiver
22 August – 1 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
15 August – 1 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 3 October 2021
- Central Darling
- Mid West Region
Yass
All care types
Gap fee waiver
22 August – 28 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
15 August – 28 September 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 3 October 2021
- Yass Valley
Byron, Tweed and Kempsey
All care types
Gap fee waiver
22 – 28 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Byron
- Tweed
- Kempsey
Narromine
All care types
Gap fee waiver
19 August – 25 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
12 August – 25 September 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 3 October 2021
- Narromine
Glen Innes
All care types
Gap fee waiver
18 – 23 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
23 August – 3 October 2021
- Glen Innes
Orange
All care types
Gap fee waiver
22 August – 23 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
15 August – 23 September 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 3 October 2021
- Orange
Western NSW
All care types
Gap fee waiver
19 August – 22 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
12 August – 22 September 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 3 October 2021
- Brewarrina
- Gilgandra
Albury and Lismore
All care types
Gap fee waiver
17 – 22 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Albury
- Lismore
Regional NSW
All care types
Gap fee waiver
22 August – 16 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
15 August – 16 September 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 19 September 2021
- Bega
- Blayney
- Cabonne
- Forbes
- Narrabri
- Parkes
- Snowy Monaro
- Upper Hunter Shire
Bogan
All care types
Gap fee waiver
19 August – 16 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
12 August – 16 September 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 19 September 2021
- Bogan
Newcastle and Hunter
All care types
Gap fee waiver
13 August – 16 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
6 August – 16 September 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 19 September 2021
- Muswellbrook
- Dungog
- Singleton
Western NSW
All care types
Gap fee waiver
19 August – 10 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
12 August – 10 September 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 19 September 2021
- Coonamble
- Warren
Northern Rivers and Armidale
All care types
Gap fee waiver
17 August – 10 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
10 August – 10 September 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 19 September 2021
- Armidale
- Ballina
- Byron
- Lismore
- Richmond Valley
- Tamworth
Regional NSW
All care types
Gap fee waiver
22 August – 10 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
15 August – 10 September 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 19 September 2021
- Albury
- Balranald
- Bellingen
- Berrigan
- Bland
- Carrathoool
- Clarence Valley
- Cobar
- Coffs Harbour
- Coolamon
- Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
- Cowra
- Edward River
- Federation Council
- Glen Innes
- Greater Hume
- Griffith
- Gunnedah
- Gwydir
- Hay
- Hilltops
- Inverell
- Junee
- Kempsey
- Kyogle
- Lachlan
- Leeton
- Liverpool Plains
- Lockhart
- Mid-Coast Council
- Moree Plains
- Murray River
- Murrumbidgee
- Nambucca
- Narrandera
- Oberon
- Port Macquarie-Hastings
- Snowy Valleys
- Temora
- Tenterfield
- Tweed
- Unincorporated Far West
- Upper Lachlan
- Uralla
- Wagga Wagga
- Walcha
- Warrumbungle
- Weddin
- Wentworth
Victoria
Metropolitan Melbourne
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
13 August – 29 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
6 August – 29 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October 2021
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
13 August – 29 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
6 August – 29 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October 2021
- Banyule
- Bayside
- Boroondara
- Brimbank
- Cardinia
- Casey
- Darebin
- Frankston
- Glen Eira
- Greater Dandenong
- Hobson Bay
- Hume
- Kingston
- Knox
- Manningham
- Maribyrnong
- Maroondah
- Melbourne
- Melton
- Monash
- Moonee Valley
- Moreland
- Mornington Peninsula
- Nillumbik
- Port Phillip
- Stonnington
- Whitehorse
- Whittlesea
- Wyndham
- Yarra
- Yarra Ranges
Regional Victoria
All care types
Gap fee waiver
22 August – 9 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
22 August – 9 September 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 19 September 2021
- Alpine
- Ballarat
- Bass Coast
- Baw Baw
- Buloke
- Campaspe
- Central Goldfields
- Colac Otway
- Corangamite
- East Gippsland
- Gannawarra
- Glenelg
- Greater Bendigo
- Hepburn
- Hindmarsh
- Indigo
- Latrobe
- Loddon
- Macedon Ranges
- Mansfield
- Mitchell
- Moira
- Mount Alexander
- Moyne
- Murrindindi
- Northern Grampians
- Pyrenees
- Queenscliffe
- Rural Ararat
- Rural Benalla
- Rural Horsham
- Rural Mildura
- Rural Swan Hill
- Rural Wangaratta
- South Gippsland
- Southern Grampians
- Strathbogie
- Surf Coast
- Towong
- Warrnambool
- Wellington
- West Wimmera
- Wodonga
- Yarriambiack
Mitchell Shire
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
20 September – 13 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
20 September – 13 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 17 October 2021
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
20 September – 13 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
20 September – 13 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October 2021
- Mitchell Shire
Mildura
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
9 October – 21 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
9 October – 21 October 2021
Business continuity payments
4 October – 31 October 2021
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
9 October – 21 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
9 October – 21 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October 2021
- Mildura
Moorabool and Greater Shepparton
All care types
Gap fee waiver
2 – 8 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Moorabool
- Greater Shepparton
City of Latrobe
All care types
Gap fee waiver
29 September – 5 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- City of Latrobe
Greater Geelong and Surf Coast Shire
All care types
Gap fee waiver
20 – 26 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Greater Geelong
- Surf Coast Shire
Ballarat
All care types
Gap fee waiver
16 – 22 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Ballarat
Shepparton
All care types
Gap fee waiver
22 August – 15 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
22 August – 15 September 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 19 September 2021
- Greater Shepparton
Regional Victoria
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
11–21 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
11–21 October 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October 2021
- Alpine
- Ararat
- Ballarat
- Bass Coast
- Baw Baw
- Benalla
- Buloke
- Campaspe
- Central Goldfields
- Colac-Otway
- Corangamite
- East Gippsland
- Gannawarra
- Glenelg
- Golden Plains
- Greater Bendigo
- Greater Geelong
- Greater Shepparton
- Hepburn
- Hindmarsh
- Horsham
- Indigo
- Latrobe
- Loddon
- Macedon Ranges
- Mansfield
- Mitchell
- Moira
- Moorabool
- Mount Alexander
- Moyne
- Murrindindi
- Northern Grampians
- Pyrenees
- Queenscliffe
- South Gippsland
- Southern Grampians
- Strathbogie
- Surf Coast
- Swan Hill
- Towong
- Wangaratta
- Warrnambool
- Wellington
- West Wimmera
- Wodonga
- Yarriambiack
- Unincorporated areas
Golden Plains, Greater Geelong, and Moorabool
All care types
Gap fee waiver
13 August – 9 September 2021
Additional allowable absences
6 August – 9 September 2021
Business continuity payments
23 August – 19 September 2021
- Golden Plains
- Greater Geelong
- Moorabool
Victoria
All care types
Gap fee waiver
Not eligible
Additional allowable absences
16 – 27 July 2021
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Banyule
- Bayside
- Boroondara
- Brimbank
- Cardinia
- Casey
- Darebin
- Frankston
- Glen Eira
- Greater Dandenong
- Hobsons Bay
- Hume
- Kingston
- Knox
- Manningham
- Maribyrnong
- Maroondah
- Melbourne
- Melton
- Monash
- Moonee Valley
- Moreland
- Mornington Peninsula
- Nillumbik
- Port Phillip
- Stonnington
- Whitehorse
- Whittlesea
- Yarra
- Yarra Ranges
- Wyndham
- Moorabool
- Greater Geelong
- Borough of Queenscliff, Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale
- Surf Coast Shire
Bass Coast
All care types
Gap fee waiver
Not eligible
Additional allowable absences
18 – 27 July 2021
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Bass Coast Shire, including Phillip Island
Mildura
All care types
Gap fee waiver
Not eligible
Additional allowable absences
19 – 27 July 2021
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Mildura
Queensland
Queensland
Before and After School Care only
Gap fee waiver
24 January – 6 February 2022
Additional allowable absences
24 January – 6 February 2022
Business continuity payments
N/A
- All Queensland areas
South East Queensland
All care types
Gap fee waiver
Not eligible
Additional allowable absences
1 – 8 August 2021
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Brisbane
- Moreton Bay
- Redland
- Logan
- Ipswich
- Noosa
- Gold Coast
- Lockyer Valley
- Scenic Rim
- Somerset
- Sunshine Coast
Australian Capital Territory
ACT
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
13 August – 24 October
Additional allowable absences
13 August – 24 October
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
13 August – 31 October
Additional allowable absences
13 August – 31 October
Business continuity payments
23 August – 31 October
- All ACT areas
Northern Territory
Gunyangara, Wurrumiyanga and Utopia
All care types
Gap fee waiver
22 – 29 January 2022
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
N/A
- Gunyangara (Ski Beach)
- Wurrumiyanga
- Utopia and surrounding homelands
Milikapiti
All care types
Gap fee waiver
24 – 27 January 2022
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
N/A
- The locality of Milikapiti
Wessel Islands Archipelago
All care types
Gap fee waiver
17 – 31 January 2022
Additional allowable absences
17 – 31 January 2022
Business continuity payments
N/A
- The Wessel Islands Archipelago, encompassing Elcho Island including Galiwin’ku and Wessel Island including Martjanba.
Yirrkala
All care types
Gap fee waiver
17 – 20 January 2022
Additional allowable absences
N/A
Business continuity payments
N/A
- Yirrkala
Ali Curung
All care types
Gap fee waiver
19 – 23 December 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not yet eligible
Business continuity payments
Not applicable
- Ali Curung including surrounding homelands of Imangara, Imperrenth, Double D, Junkaji and Wakurlpu
Tennant Creek
All care types
Gap fee waiver
17 – 23 December 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not yet eligible
Business continuity payments
Not applicable
- Tennant Creek
Katherine
All care types
Gap fee waiver
15 November – 27 November 2021
Additional allowable absences
15 November – 27 November 2021
Business continuity payments
15 November – 28 November 2021
- Katherine Town Council, including Tindal
Binjari
All care types
Gap fee waiver
27 November – 7 December 2021
Additional allowable absences
27 November – 7 December 2021
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Binjari
Binjari and Rockhole
All care types
Gap fee waiver
20 – 24 November 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payment
Not eligible
- Binjari and Rockhole (Northern Territory portion)
Lajamanu
All care types
Gap fee waiver
27 November – 11 December 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Lajamanu and homelands
Robinson River
All care types
Gap fee waiver
16 – 22 November 2021
Additional allowable absences
16 – 22 November 2021
Business continuity payment
Not eligible
- Robinson River and homelands
Katherine
All care types
Gap fee waiver
5 – 7 November 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Katherine Town Council, including Tindal
Katherine
All care types
Gap fee waiver
18 – 20 August 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Katherine Town Council, including Tindal
Greater Darwin
All care types
Gap fee waiver
18 – 19 August 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Belyuen Community Government Council
- City of Darwin
- City of Palmerston
- Litchfield Council
- Wagait Shire Council
- Bynoe
- Charlotte
- Cox Peninsula
- Dundee Beach
- Dundee Downs
- Dundee Forest
Tasmania
South Tasmania
Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, In Home Care
Gap fee waiver
16 – 18 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
Outside School Hours Care
Gap fee waiver
16 – 18 October 2021
Additional allowable absences
Not eligible
Business continuity payments
Not eligible
- Brighton Council
- Central Highlands Council
- Clarence City Council
- Derwent Valley Council
- Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council
- Glenorchy City Council
- Hobart City Council
- Huon Valley Council
- Kingsborough Council
- Sorell Council
- Southern Midlands Council
- Tasman Council
South Australia
South Australia
Before and After School Care only
Gap fee waiver
31 January – 13 February 2022
Additional allowable absences
31 January – 13 February 2022
Business continuity payments
Not applicable
- All South Australia areas