A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will take the next steps in building a universal early education and care system by expanding access to quality early education across the country.
The Government will establish a $1 billion Building Early Education Fund, which will roll out from July 2025.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said more centres would be built and expanded in areas of need, including in the outer suburbs and regional Australia.
“Every child should have the right to quality, affordable early education,” Mr Albanese said.
“That’s why we want to build a universal child care system that is simple, affordable and accessible, for every family.
“We think children should have guaranteed access to at least three days of high-quality early education and care – because early education is about changing lives.”
The Building Early Education Fund will deliver grants to providers and the Government will also explore options for the Commonwealth to invest in owning and leasing out services.
It will include a focus on co-locating services on school sites wherever possible and on supporting the growth of high-quality not-for-profit providers.
Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said this was a key part of ensuring more families can access quality early education and care.
The Albanese Labor Government wants to build a universal system where every child is guaranteed access to at least three days of high-quality early education, and care is simple, affordable and accessible for every family.
As part of these reforms the Government will deliver the 3 Day Guarantee.
The 3 Day Guarantee will replace the current Activity Test with guaranteed eligibility for 3 days a week of subsidised early education for children who need it.
“Every child has the right to go to school – and governments have a responsibility to make that possible,” Mr Neumann said.
“We believe every child has the right to go to early education, to help make sure they don’t start school behind – and our Labor Government is going to make this possible.”
As part of the Building Early Education Fund package, the Government will also develop an Early Education Service Delivery Price to better understand the cost of delivering services around the country and underpin future reform.
“Ipswich is a fast-growing region, an area attracting young families who need access to cheaper childcare,” Mr Neumann said.
“The Albanese Labor Government has already cut the cost of early education for more than 1 million Australian families through our Cheaper Child Care reforms, including 8,900 families in Blair,” Mr Neumann said.
“The average family receiving Child Care Subsidy has saved around $4,400 as a result of our reforms.
“We are also building the early education workforce through our 15 per cent pay rise for early educators, which is rolling out from this week.”
The total package represents a $1.47 billion investment in Australia’s future over five years, including $1.03 billion for the Building Early Education Fund and business case, $427 million for the 3 Day Guarantee and $10 million to develop the Early Education Service Delivery Price.
These reforms have been informed by the Productivity Commission and the ACCC’s work on early education.
