This section will be regularly updated with relevant press releases made by ACA and ACA Qld to ensure you are kept up to date with important industry news.
26 September 2024
ACA Qld Media Release: ACA Qld applauds ACT Labor's commitment to three-year-old kindy
The Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland (ACA Qld), is thrilled to see ACT Labor Party commit to three-year-old kindy. The ACT Labor Party has committed to double the hours for free three-year-old preschool (kindy for Queenslanders) if it wins the State election next month.
7 March 2024
ACA Qld Media Release: ACA Qld applauds Queensland Government's Support for Professional Development in Early Childhood Education
The Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland (ACA Qld), a leading advocate for early childhood education and care in Queensland, congratulates the Queensland Government and the Department of Education for their commitment to funding two planning days for early childhood teachers (ECT’s delivering kindergarten programs), paid-practicum placements for eligible working towards teachers and scholarships for aspiring ECT’s.
11 October 2021
ACA Media Release: Families are the big winners from early boost to Child Care Subsidy
Australia’s peak body for early learning (childcare) services applauds the Australian Government for allowing families earlier access to more affordable childcare services next year. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) will increase from 7 March 2022, four months earlier than expected. Families, with multiple children, aged five years and under in care, will have their CCS rate increased by 30% for their second child and any younger children, to a maximum rate of 95%.
23 August 2021
ACA Media Release: Australian Government provides immediate targeted support to the most vulnerable early learning services
Australia’s peak body for early learning (childcare) commends the Australian Government for recognising the immediate impact of the latest COVID-19 lockdowns across Greater Sydney, Melbourne and regional Victoria, by providing immediate targeted support for those service providers struggling the most. The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) President, Mr Paul Mondo, said the new support will make the difference between staying afloat or closing for many service providers in NSW as well as Victoria, bearing the brunt of the latest COVID-19 lockdowns.
15 July 2021
ACA Media Release: ACA Applauds Funding Support Allowing Greater Sydney ECEC Service Providers to Waive the Gap Fee for parents
Australia’s peak body for early learning (child care) commends the Australian Government’s recent announcement to better support families and educators during the current Greater Sydney lockdown by allowing services impacted to waive the gap fee. “The announcement means that, right now, families in Greater Sydney who choose to keep their children at home, whether it be for financial, health or other reasons, don’t have to pay a fee for care they are not using,” Mr Mondo says. “They can keep their children enrolled, without any risk of losing their place at their child’s service.”
2 May 2021
ACA Media Release: Australia's peak body for early learning (child care) services welcomes the reforms to the Child Care Subsidy improving affordability for many families
The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) commends the Federal Government in today’s commitment to provide additional funding for Australian families with young children via boosting the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). The new government funding reforms will incentivise more parents to return to work and take on additional hours, by making early learning (child care) services more affordable for these families. This includes the removal of the annual rebate cap for families earning over $189,390 plus bolstering the current CCS by 30% for the second (or more) child attending an early learning service.
30 March 2021
ACA Media Release: ACA Supports New Focus On Women's Issues
Australia’s peak body for early learning (childcare) services congratulates the Prime Minister on his new look Cabinet, with five promoted women Ministers and resolution to embed women’s issues into all areas of government policy making. As a sector that prioritises the economic and social wellbeing of women and their families, the President of the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA), Mr Paul Mondo said he was looking forward to working with Prime Minister Morrison and key Ministers to ensure affordable early learning (childcare) was front and centre of next Federal Budget and beyond.
10 March 2021
ACA Media Release: Australian Government applauded for uncapping apprentice program - early learning (childcare) to benefit 39,000 educators needed by 2023
With Australia facing a critical shortage of 39,000 educators by 20231; the Australian Government’s decision to uncap the places in its ‘Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement (BAC) wage subsidy initiative2 has been heralded a ‘game changer’ by Australia’s peak body for early learning (childcare) services.With Australia facing a critical shortage of 39,000 educators by 20231; the Australian Government’s decision to uncap the places in its ‘Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement (BAC) wage subsidy initiative2 has been heralded a ‘game changer’ by Australia’s peak body for early learning (childcare) services.The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement to extend financial incentives to enable more apprentices or trainees to be employed, at a time when Australia is still navigating its way out of the economic and health crisis.
21 December 2021
ACA Media Release: ACA Welcomes New Educational Minister
Australia’s peak body for early learning (childcare) services, congratulates the Hon Alan Tudge on his new role as Minister for Education and Youth. The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) also praised the outgoing Education Minister, the Hon Dan Tehan’s commitment to the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector, especially in protecting families and educators against the worst economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re tremendously grateful to the Australian Government and Minister Tehan, for his ongoing engagement and amazing support for the early learning sector during this terrible global health crisis.” ACA President Paul Mondo said.
19 November 2020
ACA Media Release: Productivity Commission Mental Health Report
Australia’s peak body for early learning (childcare) services, has welcomed the recommendations from the Australian Productivity Commission for ‘generation reform’1 of mental health services to improve prevention and early intervention efforts that focus on the wellbeing of infants, children and their parents.Australia’s peak body for early learning (childcare) services, has welcomed the recommendations from the Australian Productivity Commission for ‘generation reform’1 of mental health services to improve prevention and early intervention efforts that focus on the wellbeing of infants, children and their parents.In its final report on the costs to the economy of mental health, the Commission observed that one in 10 preschool-aged children in Australia are exposed to multiple factors that put them at increased risk of mental illness in adulthood.
28 October 2020
ACA Qld Media Release: Policies that provide access to affordable childcare may decide who will be the next Queensland Premier
If the Queensland state election ends in a cliff-hanger, early learning (childcare) policies may help decide who will be the next Premier.If the Queensland state election ends in a cliff-hanger, early learning (childcare) policies may help decide who will be the next Premier.The Queensland Greens and Independent MPs have expressed support for crucial policy recommendations that prioritises the needsof 300,000 Queensland children and the early childhood educators who care and educate them.The Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland (ACA Qld) presented all parties with its non-partisan, financially sensible electionpolicy manifesto “What Queensland parents want. What our children need’.
21 October 2020
ACA Qld Media Release: Unemployment in Queensland, is Childcare the answer?
The early learning (childcare) sector is now well recognised by both Government and society as being the bedrock of the economy, supporting workforce participation by providing families with the confidence in knowing that their children’s wellbeing is supported in a safe learning environment. As the COVID-19 crisis continues, the economic impact is being widely felt with our first recession in many years and high unemployment, however the early learning (childcare) sector is desperately attempting to employ more people.
14 October 2020
ACA Qld Media Release: Affordable childcare could decide who wins the Queensland election
Brisbane: As Queensland prepares for a potential cliff-hanger election, affordable early learning (childcare) may decide who becomes the next Premier. Independent parties, MPs and candidates have confirmed their support for a raft of smart and common sense policy recommendations developed by Queensland’s peak body for the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector, the Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland (ACA Qld).
9 October 2020
ACA Media Release: Working families and the early learning (childcare) sector now recognised by all parties: Disadvantaged children still falling through the cracks
Australia’s peak body for early learning (childcare) services, the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA), commends Labor’s budget-in-reply response that highlights just how critical the early learning (childcare) sector is in supporting greater workforce participation. “This pandemic has pulled the curtain back on the critical role our sector plays in supporting our economy and allowing all working parents - emergency and healthcare workers amongst them – to return to the workforce and contribute to the recovery and growth of our economy,” ACA President Paul Mondo said.
24 September 2020
ACA Qld Media Release: 'What Queensland parents want. What our children need' Affordable childcare must be front and centre of the QLD election
A looming shortfall in government funding, for all four year olds in kindergarten, will soon force Queensland parents to either withdraw their children from their high quality early learning (childcare) service or face increased costs of $43 a week. Ahead of the Queensland election, all major parties are being called on by the Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland (ACA Qld) to avoid this funding cliff by committing to policies that prioritise the needs of 300,000 Queensland children and the 30,000 early childhood educators/teachers, who educate and care for them.
21 September 2020
ACA Qld Media Release: 'What Queensland parents want. What our children need' ACA Queensland calls on all parties to commit to its election policy manifesto
As Queensland emerges from under the crippling health and economic crisis; Queensland’s peak body early learning (childcare) services, has called on both parties to commit to policies that prioritise the needs of 300,000Queensland children and the early childhood educators who educate and care for them.
7 September 2020
ACA Media Release: New research supports an increase in financial assistance for families accessing childcare
Australian families would be financially better off, and $5.4 billion tipped into the economy, if the recommendations by KPMG and Chief Executive Women (CEW) were to be adopted by the Government. Australian Childcare Alliance has commended the findings by the report “The child care subsidy: Options for increasing support for caregivers who want to work” that seeks to build on the recent Child Care Subsidy (CCS) reforms to better support working families and the national economic recovery.
30 March 2020
Keep healthcare parents on the frontline not at home
Hundreds of Queensland doctors and nurses could soon be forced from the frontline battle against COVID-19 to stay home and look after their otherwise healthy children, if the Government doesn’t act quickly to provide an urgent lifeline to the hard-hit childcare (early learning) sector.
29 March 2020
ACA Qld calling on the PM for urgent help to save Childcare
Queensland’s peak body for childcare (early learning) services, Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland (ACA Qld), is again calling on the Federal Government to provide an immediate first-step solution to keeping the doors open so our young children can be cared for and educators can be paid.
26 March 2020
Sector on verge of collapse
Over 400,000 Queensland’s parents are facing the immediate (and potentially permanent) collapse of early learning (childcare) services, as providers fight to keep their doors open for the sake of the 300,000 Queensland children and the 25,000 educators who care for them.
11 May 2018
Two Queensland early learning services closing due to oversupply
Two early learning (childcare) services on the Gold Coast alone, are closing due to oversupply and unsustainable occupancy.
This contradicts a recent report that the early childhood education and care sector’s fears of oversupply are unfounded.
25 September 2017
ACA Qld congratulates Education Council extension of workforce transitional regulations
Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland (ACA Qld) congratulates the Education Council’s intention to extend several transitional provisions in the Education and Care Service National Regulations primarily relating to staffing and qualifications in the children’s education and care sector before the end of the year.
23 August 2017
Oversupply of Child Care in Queensland
A recent study conducted by Urban Economics and commissioned by Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland (ACA Qld) found that the projected demand for childcare services for the next 20 years will be fulfilled sooner if the current number of proposed/approved/under construction childcare services across Queensland goes ahead in addition to the existing over supply.
7 August 2017
Rising Costs of Child Care are Undeniable
The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) has responded to a large volume of media activity over the weekend regarding the affordability of child care.
8 February 2017
ACA Calls for Improvements to Jobs for Families Package
18 November 2016
Childcare peak body slams report of childcare centres “failing to make grade”
Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland (ACA Qld) has expressed its disappointment at reports that use misleading and inaccurate information to paint a grim picture of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across the state.
25 October 2016
ACA Media Release: The time has come to support Australian Families #AllChildrenCount
The Australian Childcare Alliance, the peak body for privately owned Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services in Australia, continues to call on all parties to commit to policies and immediate investment capable of delivering quality and affordable early childhood education and care for families across Australia.
6 September 2016
Celebrating our Early Childhood Educators
The passion and inspiration provided by early childhood educators to 300,000 young children in Queensland will be celebrated tomorrow, Wednesday 7 September 2016, as Australia celebrates Early Childhood Educators Day.
8 June 2016
Early Childhood Educators Raised $20,000 for Samuel Johnson’s “Love Your Sister”
Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland (ACA Qld), a not-for-profit organisation representing the private long day care sector in Queensland, raised $20,000 for ‘Love Your Sister’ at their annual national conference over the weekend.
3 June 2016
Over 1500 Early Childhood Educators converge on the Gold Coast for National Conference
The two-day ‘Reveal the Possibilities” annual national childcare conference is being held from 3-5 June and attracts Approved Providers, Early Childhood Educators and suppliers from all across Australia to discuss current issues and participate in extensive professional development activities and programs.
4 May 2016
The Treasurer’s announcement that the Jobs for Families Child Care Assistance Package will be deferred until 1 July 2018 due to legislative delays, is disappointing.
27 August 2015
Childcare workers applauded
Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland pays tribute to Queensland early childhood educators as part of the upcoming Early Childhood Educators Day celebrations.
12 May 2015
Budget fails to respond to the immediate needs of families
The Australian Childcare Alliance has responded to the 2015-16 Budget.
10 May 2105
Childcare package good news for families
The Australian Childcare Alliance welcomes the release of the Australian Government's new 'Families Package'.
08 May 2015
ACA welcomes improved support for vulnerable and disadvantaged children
The Australian Childcare Alliance welcomes the acknolwedgement by the Federal Government that vulnerable and at risk children need increased investment and support.
20 February 2015
Productivity Commission proposes disappointing outcomes to increase affordability and workforce participation
The Final Report from the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Childcare and Early Childhood Learning is an extensive report that will do little to address the affordability concerns of working families.
3 February 2015
Childcare sector welcomes changes to Paid Parental Leave
The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) has welcomed today's announcement by the Prime Minister, The Hon Tony Abbott MP regarding the redirection of funding to childcare from his now defunct signature Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme.
30 October 2014
Children, behaviour and the first year of school
Australia's long day child care providers today expressed concern over headline reports that children who spend large amounts of time in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services develop higher instances of aggression and hyperactive behaviours when commencing formal schooling.
5 September 2014
Childcare providers applaud Abbott Government commitment to preschool and kindergarten
The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) welcomes the Australian Government's commitment to preschool and kindergarten funding under the National Partnership for a further 12 months.
13 May 2014
Budget puts childcare on hold waiting for the Productivity Commission
ACA President Gwynn Bridge said that families need assistance now but congratulates the Australian Government on not being tempted into kneejerk cuts.
5 May 2014
Investing in Early Childhood Educators A Fair and Equitable Policy Change
The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) congratulates the Australian Government and in particular Assistant Minister for Education Sussan Ley on the launch of the Professional Development Guidelines of the Long Day Care Professional Development Programme (LDCPLP) and their resolution to divert the funds from the Labor government's unfair and ill-conceived Early Years Quality Fund (EYQF).
30 April 2014
Paid Parental Leave – foundations without building blocks
With the budget axe expected to be wielded in less than a fortnight, the Australian Childcare Alliance has questioned the merits of the Abbott Government's controversial Paid Parental Leave scheme, calling for funds to be re-directed to early childhood education and care.
19 February 2014
Children must be permitted to play
Childcare Queensland supports Queensland Education Minister Langbroek's ambition to build stronger linkages between the schooling system and early childhood education and care services.