After-school care providers in Australia have raised alarms about the potential closure of their services unless there is increased government assistance. This sector has experienced significant growth in recent years, largely due to the rising number of parents working longer hours. However, peak organisations in the industry feel overlooked in light of the forthcoming federal budget.
Currently, nearly half a million children participate in after-school care, marking it as one of the country’s fastest-growing childcare sectors. According to Nicole Watts from OSHClub, the escalating cost of living has resulted in many families requiring both parents to work, thereby increasing the demand for after-school care services. Nevertheless, providers are contending with their own rising operational costs, which threaten the sustainability of their offerings.
Warren Jacobson, president of the Outside School Hours Council of Australia, warned that many services could become financially unviable. He emphasised that this situation ultimately impacts children and their opportunities for a strong start in life. Last year’s government-mandated wage increase had a stipulation that limited fee increases for parents to just 4.4%, creating further financial strain on care providers.
As the federal budget is set to be announced soon, there are calls for more focus on the out of school hours care sector. There is a growing influx of children who require additional support, which adds to the challenges faced by care providers.
Parents, including those with neurodivergent children, echo this need for more resources. Laititia Andrac, whose daughter Zoe is autistic, highlighted the difficulties of balancing work commitments while ensuring her child receives adequate care after school hours. She noted that, while educators strive to do their best, they lack the necessary resources and support.
In light of these challenges, a spokesperson for Education Minister Jason Clare mentioned that the government plans to allocate an additional $105 million to support services catering to children with special needs. This funding could provide much-needed assistance for after-school care services to enhance their support and resources for children requiring extra help, ensuring that they can continue to operate effectively.
The industry is urging for greater attention and support in the upcoming budget to secure the future viability of after-school care services, which play a crucial role in the lives of working families across Australia.