Childcare in Australia: what parents need to know before choosing
For a family newly arrived in Australia, finding suitable childcare is one of the things to sort out early — especially if both parents are working or studying. The childcare system in Australia is far more varied than many newcomers are used to, and there are several concepts to understand before you start your search.
Common types of childcare in Australia
Long Day Care
Long day care is the most common type — a centre caring for children from infancy to preschool age (usually up to 5), open all day on weekdays. Most long day care centres are open from early morning to evening, flexible enough to fit parents’ working hours.
Family Day Care
Family day care is care provided in the private home of a registered carer (an educator). It is smaller in scale than long day care — usually a few children at a time — and more family-like. It suits parents who prefer a warm setting with fewer children.
Occasional Care
Occasional care is care provided by the hour or by the session, with no need for regular enrolment. It suits you when you need care occasionally or as the need arises. Not every centre offers this type.
In-Home Care
In-home care is care provided in the family’s own home — the carer comes to your house. It suits families working irregular hours, or with several young children. The cost is usually higher than the other types.
Preschool / Kindergarten
In many states, there are preschool or kindergarten programs for children in the year before primary school — usually a half-day program or a few sessions a week. Some of these programs are run by the government and are free or low-cost; others are private. The rules and the names vary between states.
The childcare quality regulator
All childcare services in Australia must be registered and comply with the National Quality Standard (NQS) — the national quality framework overseen by ACECQA (the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority).
You can look up the quality rating of any childcare service on the startingblocks.gov.au website — the government’s early childhood information portal. Each service is rated as Exceeding, Meeting, Working Towards, or Significant Improvement Required.
When looking for childcare, checking a service’s rating on startingblocks.gov.au is an important step.
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
The Australian federal government has a childcare subsidy program called the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). It helps reduce childcare costs for eligible families.
Eligibility and the level of subsidy depend on several factors, including family income, visa or residency status, and the parents’ activity (work, study, and so on). Not all visas are eligible for CCS.
Important: CCS is an area with many specific rules that change with policy. To find out whether you are eligible and at what level, refer directly to servicesaustralia.gov.au or contact Services Australia — this is the most accurate source.
Waiting lists
In many urban areas — especially densely populated areas with many young families — waiting lists for long day care can be very long. Some centres have waiting lists of 12–24 months.
If you know you will need childcare, register early — even before the baby is born. Put your name on the waiting list at several centres and keep your contact details up to date.
Questions to ask when visiting a service
Before deciding, visit the service in person and ask questions:
About quality:
- What is the service’s current NQS rating (and can you see the report)?
- What early childhood qualifications do the educators hold?
- What is the ratio of educators to children?
About day-to-day running:
- What are the opening and closing hours?
- What is the policy when a child is sick?
- What is the daily menu like — does the service provide meals or do you need to bring your own?
- Are there any staff who speak Vietnamese (not essential, but helpful in the early period)?
About migrant children:
- Does the service have experience with children who don’t yet speak English?
- How does the service support new children through the settling-in stage?
Settling in
Most services have a settling-in process — a period of getting used to the centre that helps children move gradually into the new environment. This usually involves short sessions at first with a parent present, then increasing periods of independent time.
For children who don’t speak English, this stage can take longer. Patience and consistency from parents — especially in keeping a steady routine for drop-off and pick-up — help children settle faster.
Next steps
To help your child settle in after starting childcare, see the related guide on building a routine that helps children settle in faster.
For family support services, see the guide on support and resources for new families in Australia.