REGIONAL Development Australia (RDA) Mid North Coast is asking the community to help answer a key question: are recent childcare reforms making a real difference in regional areas?
In 2023, RDA Mid North Coast found only 65 percent of childcare demand in the region was being met, costing families an estimated $384 million in lost wages each year.
The findings showed a clear shortage, with many families unable to access care, limiting their ability to work and affecting local businesses.
To better understand what is happening on the ground, RDA Mid North Coast has launched two short, anonymous surveys for parents and providers.
Dr Madeleine Lawler, CEO of RDA Mid North Coast, said community input is essential to driving meaningful change.
“RDA MNC’s role is to gather credible regional evidence and put it in front of decision-makers,” she said.
“Community voices from parents who can’t find childcare to providers under workforce pressure are what make that advocacy count.
“This survey is how those voices are heard.”
According to the Mitchell Institute, more than 60 percent of regional communities across Australia are considered “childcare deserts”.
A childcare desert is where there are more than three children for every available place.
This gap continues to impact access to early learning across the Mid North Coast.
Since that report, both the Federal and NSW governments have introduced changes to the Early Childhood Education and Care sector.
However, there is still limited regional data showing whether these reforms have improved access, affordability or workforce conditions.
RDA Mid North Coast is calling for fair access to funding for all childcare providers, including for-profit centres.
Private providers play a major role in regional areas but are often excluded from grant programs.
Nationally, the role of family day care has also come into sharper focus.
Family Day Care Australia (FDCA) made a submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into early childhood education and care in February 2024.
It called for stronger recognition of the model and its ability to support more families.
The final report acknowledged these concerns, including the need to review subsidy settings, support services in regional and remote areas, improve access to care outside standard hours and create stronger training pathways.
Several recommendations reflected FDCA’s position and highlighted the potential for family day care to play a bigger role in improving access.
Parents and families are encouraged to share their experiences, while providers can give insight into capacity, workforce pressures and the impact of recent policy changes.
Each survey takes under five minutes to complete and does not collect identifying information.
RDA Mid North Coast said every response will help strengthen its case for targeted investment and reform to support the region.
Visit https://rdamnc.org.au/projects/childcare-on-the-mid-north-coast/ to access the surveys.
By Sis HIGGINS
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