The Front Project remains committed to removing the activity test, noting its significance for families experiencing disadvantage.
Reporting suggests the Coalition would reinstate the activity test if re-elected in the upcoming federal election.
This would impact families who are faced with complex rules around how much subsidised early education and care they can access.
We recognise that the activity test has long locked out families experiencing disadvantage, such as those on low incomes, those experiencing family violence, unemployment, long-term health challenges, single-headed households, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Removal of the activity test was recommended by the Productivity Commission in its inquiry into ECEC and has been supported across the early childhood education and care sector, including by the Australian Childcare Alliance, ELACCA, Grattan Institute, The Parenthood, and Thrive by Five.
The Front Project’s CEO, Dr Caroline Croser-Barlow, stresses that the activity test unfairly ties a child’s access to early learning opportunities to their parents’ workforce participation, rather than the child’s developmental needs.
“Removing the activity test simplifies the Child Care Subsidy, enhances family choice and supports equity. This is meaningful and will go a long way for children and families in Australia," said Dr Caroline Croser-Barlow.
“While we acknowledge the importance of a sustainable subsidy system, we also urge all parties and policymakers to consider the evidence on how such policies affect children’s access to early learning.
“It is great to see commitments from all sides of politics around expanding ECEC services in underserved areas, such as outer suburbs and regional communities.
"We welcome the recognition that every community needs access to high quality early learning.
However, we should not make access to early learning dependent on what is happening in their parents’ work lives,” said Dr Caroline Croser-Barlow.
Media Contact:
Auzi Amazia
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