The Labor Government recently introduced laws that will help cut out of pocket costs for families with children in early education and care.

These new laws mean that around 96 per cent of local families with children in early education and care will be better off.

For example a family earning $120,000 with one child in early education and care will be more than $1,700 better off.

Chesters said child care costs have skyrocketed 41 per cent in the past eight years.

“I know from talking to families in the region, plus my own experience with two little ones, how expensive child care is,” Chesters said.

“It’s a big cost to families and a massive disincentive for parents, especially mums, to do more paid work.

“Quite often, families are having to rely on grandparents to make up the extra days of care in order for parents to be able to return to work.”

Ms Chesters said that 96 per cent of families with children in early education and care will be better off under Labor’s plan.

“This is good for children, good for families and good for our economy.

“Not only will this help families with cost of living pressures by cutting the cost of child care, it will help get thousands of skilled workers into our economy.

“This is important economic reform that the Albanese Government promised to deliver at the election. Legislation introduced today will implement this promise.

“It means children get access to early education, and parents especially mums can do more paid work if they want to,” Chesters said.

The changes to the child care subsidy will kick in on 1 July 2023.

Further, the Albanese Labor Government will launch a 12-month inquiry into the rising cost of childcare in Australia starting in early 2023.

The Government’s October Budget will invest $10.8 million to begin an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry in January.