Welcome to mychild.gov.au

The mychild.gov.au website provides information on different types of child care and how to access assistance with the cost of child care. There is a database you can search to locate and access a street view of child care services in your local area. In many cases, you will also be able to find the service's vacancy and fee information. You will also find links to other useful websites about children's health and wellbeing, parenting and family support services on mychild.gov.au.
Read the complete welcome message

Online budgeting help for child care costs

A new online tool has been launched to help families budget for their child care costs. The Child Care Estimator gives families an estimated dollar amount for their Child Care Benefit, Child Care Rebate entitlements, and out-of-pocket child care costs. It enhances the current Child Support Estimator provided by Centrelink and the Family Assistance Office.

Assistance for foster and non-parent/kinship carers

The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, has announced Administrative Schemes to assist foster and non-parent/kinship carers, and people with special circumstances. Read more about this announcement.

A Snapshot of Early Childhood Development in Australia

The Australian Government’s A Snapshot of Early Childhood Development in Australia Australian Early Development Index National Report 2009, has been released.

The report provides a picture of how children are developing in their early years.

mychild Updates - Vacancy Information now available

The mychild.gov.au website has been enhanced. It now contains child care vacancy information and a mapping function allowing families to locate and obtain a ‘street view’ of child care centres. Contact details for all Child Care Benefit approved services are also available.
 
Read more about the improvements.

Child Care Rebate

On 1 July 2009, the Child Care Tax Rebate was re-named the Child Care Rebate. There is no change to your eligibility or entitlements.

The Australian Government's Child Care Rebate is a payment to families of 50% of their out-of-pocket child care costs, up to $7778 (indexed) per child annually.

National Quality Framework

On 7 December 2009 the Australian Government, in partnership with state and territory governments, agreed to a number of improvements to early childhood education and care through the introduction of a National Quality Framework. The new framework will help to ensure Australian children get the best possible start.

Read more about the National Quality Framework.