InBrief

Families struggling to access child care and who require more flexible arrangements can apply to participate in the Australian Government’s new Nanny Pilot Programme. The two-year pilot will begin in 2016 and provide fee assistance to help eligible families with the cost of using a nanny in their family home.

This is a great opportunity for parents, particularly those who live away from existing child care, or who work non-standard hours—like police officers, nurses, firefighters and other emergency workers, or those in the hospitality industry.

Families are eligible if they earn less than $250,000, both parents (or in the case of a sole parent family, the sole parent) work, train or study at least eight hours a fortnight, and at least one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Families have until 5pm AEDT on 30 October 2015 to apply.

To find out whether you’re eligible and to apply, go to the Department of Social Services website.