Early childhood education and care providers may not offer certain types of inducements.
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From 22 July 2024, a change to rule 48B of the Child Care Subsidy Minister’s Rules 2017 allows providers and services to advertise their charitable activities to prospective families.
Ban on certain inducements
An inducement is an incentive offered by a provider to secure a child’s enrolment.
Inducements that are financial or not directly associated with the quality or provision of education or care services are no longer allowed.
Some examples of inducements not allowed include:
- cash or vouchers
- iPads, tablets or other electronic devices
- other gifts.
Third parties may not offer a family an inducement to enrol at your service.
What providers can offer
You can offer and advertise discounted or free care. However, you must report fee discounts correctly if CCS is claimed.
You can advertise your service to prospective families and offer free site visits or trial periods. You may also issue marketing merchandise to the value of $30 per complying written arrangement.
You can offer transport to or from a service if this is part of your normal business practice.
You may also include extra-curricular activities as part of a session fee. You must ensure that the correct billing practices are used.
You can advertise your social impact through activities like donations to a charity.
If you have questions, contact the CCS Provider Helpdesk by email.
Compliance
We may take action against providers that continue to offer inducements not permitted under the law. This could include:
- putting conditions on your approval
- suspending or cancelling your approval.
Submit a tip-off
If you think a provider is offering inducements that are not allowed, you can tell us.
Our CCS fraud tip-off form is anonymous and only takes a few minutes to complete.