Hello! I have a random question. The kids day care has increased their fees again from the 24th of Jan, their last increase was on the 2nd of August 2021. Do you know if there is anywhere I can find out more information on this and how often fees can be increased? As a full time working single mum, I don’t have the money to fork out more, I’m not sure how much Centrelink covers and my budget is already stretched. Thank you
EDIT - sorry my question seems to have been misunderstood. I’m asking if anyone knows or can point me in the right direction of where I can do my own research. I would like to know how often can a child care centre increase fees or is it whenever they see fit? We have had two in less than 6 months.
5 Replies
They can charge whatever they like. Clink has a max hourly rate they'll subsidise but don't tell centres what they can charge.
August/Jan is probably a twice yearly cpi increase.
However, if you've two children in child care, in March the 2nd child gets a higher subsidy.
https://www.dese.gov.au/child-care-subsidy/higher-child-care-subsidy-and...
They can increase their fees however they like. It's why busy/city daycares are more than others, despite being the same company
They can charge what they want. As a single parent you should hopefully be getting quite a hefty benefit, making it not as scary as it all seems. Check what they include and if you’re not sure have a shop at what else is around. Make sure you ask what’s included or) meals, nappies snacks extra curricular, and how many hours they class each day as, some are 8 most are 12, FDC charge the hours you book.
Ask them what their policy is. I think now is a good time for a quick email saying I wasn’t expecting this since we had the increase in August, can you tell me your policy on fee increases please?
Easy.
I’m a single mum too - and it sucks! I was told they can charge what they like, so I had to move centres. After the discount, it was $52 a day and after the price change $60 a day. $8 a day makes a huge difference. Overall it worked out to be just over $2000 increase per year.
I asked Centrelink if my discount had changed, and was told there was a cap.
Goodluck with it, there’s no further resources I came up with.