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Changes to the Federal Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) which came into effect in early January, are offering welcome financial relief for Hawkesbury families but local access to childcare remains a significant unresolved issue.
Under the new “3 Day Guarantee”, all families eligible for the Child Care Subsidy are now entitled to at least 72 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight, regardless of how many hours they work, study or volunteer. For many parents, this equates to around three days of subsidised care per week, removing a long-criticised barrier created by the former activity test.
Families where both parents undertake more than 48 hours of recognised participation per fortnight may be eligible for up to 100 subsidised hours, or five days per week. Families with a valid exemption, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, are also eligible for the higher entitlement.
A step forward for families but only if places exist
For Hawkesbury parents juggling long commutes, casual work, seasonal employment or caring responsibilities, the new guarantee offers greater certainty and flexibility. Consistent access to early learning is also widely recognised as critical for children’s development and school readiness.
However, while the subsidy changes improve affordability, they do not address the underlying shortage of childcare places across the Hawkesbury.
Unlike neighbouring local government areas, Hawkesbury does not operate a council-run childcare network.
By comparison, Penrith City Council directly operates one of the most extensive council-managed children’s services networks in the state. Under a cooperative model, Penrith runs dozens of long-day care centres, preschools and out-of-school-hours services, supporting thousands of local families and providing stable, publicly backed early learning infrastructure.
Similarly, Blacktown City Council is one of NSW’s largest childcare providers. Through its Kids’ Early Learning Blacktown City network, the council owns and operates 32 childcare centres, supports more than 35 family day care providers across the LGA making it one of the most comprehensive council-run childcare systems in the state.
Hawkesbury Council: landlord, not provider
In contrast, Hawkesbury City Council does not operate a council-owned childcare network. Childcare in the Hawkesbury is delivered entirely by private and community providers, including nine community-run not for profit centres where Council acts as landlord and regulator rather than operator.
Last year, Council decisions including a vote to increase rents on these centres as part of measures to increase its income. Providers have warned that rising operating costs, workforce shortages and Councils higher rents place ongoing pressure on centres already operating on tight margins.
Subsidies can’t fix supply alone
While the new CCS settings will help families afford care if they can secure a place, they do not create new centres, expand capacity, or stabilise services at risk of closure.
Local advocates say the contrast with neighbouring councils highlights the importance of local government leadership in childcare provision, particularly in outer-metropolitan and semi-regional areas where private operators alone may not meet community demand.
As the new subsidy arrangements bed in, Hawkesbury families are welcoming the financial relief but many say lasting change will require coordinated investment across all levels of government to ensure childcare places actually exist where families live and work in Hawkesbury.
