Despite government subsidies, childcare is still a significant cost for many families. This paper reviews available data on expenditure and affordability, and presents new analysis of household expenditure data to understand how much Australian families are spending on early childhood education and care, as a proportion of their disposable income.

This report explores preschool policies, enrolment and costs around Australia, finding a patchwork of programs and costs across the country. The report makes the case for immediate action to increase funding and consistency to ensure that all Australia children can access two years of high-quality preschool and benefit from a strong start to their educational...

Economic modelling by the Mitchell Institute has found that many families will be significantly financially worse off, following the reintroduction of childcare fees for parents.

This report examines the impact of employment stress on children’s learning, development, health and wellbeing. It provides an overview of international evidence, including research covering previous recessions.