Greens demand childcare subsidy boost for low-income families in the face of rate rises

Greens demand childcare subsidy boost for low-income families in the face of rate rises | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Greens demand childcare subsidy boost for low-income families in the face of rate rises 2026-03-17 The Australian Greens are calling on the Labor Government to lift the maximum Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to 100 per cent of the hourly rate cap for families earning up to $80,000, as households brace for further cost-of-living pressure following today’s rate rise.

Around 30 per cent of families with children aged 0–12 earn less than $80,000 a year. The Greens say increasing the subsidy is an immediate relief measure that would lower childcare bills for families and must be included in May’s Budget. The Greens are also urging the Government to outline a clear plan and timeline for delivering “universal childcare”, a commitment repeated by the Prime Minister since the last election.

A sector-led “blueprint” for early childhood education and care (ECEC), backed by organisations including Thrive by Five and SNAICC, has been sent to the Prime Minister. This includes a call to establish an ECEC commission to drive the transition to universal provision, a reform backed by the Greens since last year’s reports of abuse and neglect across the sector.

Lines attributable to Australian Greens spokesperson for Early Childhood Education and Care, Senator Steph Hodgins-May: “This rate rise is another blow to families already struggling to pay for basics like childcare. “The childcare subsidy is broken. But while we work on long-term reform, the Government can and must deliver real relief now.

“Families were promised universal childcare as the Prime Minister’s legacy, yet there is still no plan, no timeline, and no clarity on what that actually means. “While we wait for his phantom legacy, increasing the subsidy is an immediate lever the Prime Minister has to lower childcare bills for our lowest earning families. “If May’s Budget fails to deliver this childcare bill relief, Labor will once again be sidelining families as they face soaring rates and energy costs.

“Families deserve immediate relief through reducing out-of-pocket expenses, and an actual plan and vision to make early learning universal, high-quality, and affordable for every child, just like primary and secondary school.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

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