Understanding childcare options in Australia
There are five different types of childcare services available in Australia:
- Centre-based care (Long Day Care): These are childcare centres that open for long hours. Qualified educators provide care for children. Childcare is usually available for children from birth to school age, and children are usually grouped with others of their own age.
- Family Day Care: This is care provided by a registered educator in their own home. It’s a smaller, flexible option that may feel more personal.
- Preschool or Kindergarten: The names ‘preschool’ and ‘kindergarten’ might differ between states, so it’s important to check. These services offer care for children aged 3 to 5 years old. They help prepare children for school by learning through playing.
- Outside School Hours Care (OSHC):
This is care for primary school children outside school hours. It can include care before and after school and during school holidays.
- Occasional Care and In-home Care:
Occasional care is flexible care as you need it. In-home care is when a registered carer comes to your home.
Choosing the right service for your child
When you’re researching childcare options, think about:
- Your child’s age
- Your work or study hours
- Your location
- Staff qualifications and standards
To help make your decision, you can do childcare centre tours. You can ask questions about activities, routines and how they support migrant children.
Starting Blocks is a free government website to help families find and compare childcare options. In Australia, there is a National Quality Standard for early childhood safety, health and wellbeing. You can visit different childcare providers to see how they perform to this standard.
Because there can be a shortage of childcare places, it can be helpful to put your child’s name on many childcare centre waiting lists.
Explore the Starting Blocks website
Financial assistance for families
Childcare in Australia can be expensive. The government provides financial support to many families, including eligible migrants.
Some payments the government might provide include:
- Family Tax Benefit: a payment to help with the cost of raising children aged 16-19.
- Parenting payment: a payment while you’re a young child’s main carer.
- Childcare subsidy: a payment to help with the cost of childcare.
- Additional childcare subsidy: extra help for families experiencing hardship, low income, or special circumstances
There are different requirements to be eligible for these payments. This might include an income test, residency rules, and having up-to-date immunisations.
You must be living in Australia to claim government payments. You must also have Australian citizenship, a permanent visa, a Special Category visa, or a certain temporary visa.
Some payments might have a waiting period for new migrants. This can be up to four years. It’s important to check your visa type to understand any waiting periods.
Find out more about financial assistance on the Services Australia website.
Paid parental leave and support
The Australian government offers paid parental leave for families. You must be working in Australia and meet some other criteria, including income and residency rules. To apply for paid parental leave, you’ll need to set up myGov and Centrelink accounts online.
As well as financial support, there are some other support services for new parents. These include:
Ask your local council or community health centre about free services for parents and children in your area.
To help build your connections and support for your family, you can join local Facebook groups for parents or cultural communities, attend community events, and talk to other parents at childcare or school.
Learn more about parental leave pay on Services Australia website
Special services for migrants and refugees
There are many organisations that help newly arrived migrants and refugees access housing help, job support, and English classes. These include providers Settlement Services International, AMES Australia, and Multicultural Australia. You can learn more by visiting their websites.
If English isn’t your first language, you can use the Translating and Interpreting Service for free help.
Learn more about Translating and Interpreting Service on the TIS National website
Choosing where to live
When you move to Australia and are looking for somewhere to live, you might want to think about:
- Convenient access to childcare, schools, parks and playgrounds
- Access to public transport
- Safety and community comfort
- Availability of community services and cultural groups
Living near a school or having a wide range of childcare options nearby could help make your move to Australia easier. You might have more choices of schools and childcare if you live closer to capital cities rather than regional areas.
You can search online for schools and compare them by using third party tools such as the Good Schools Guide. Then, look to live in suburbs near the schools you choose.
Education after childcare
After the early years of childcare, it’s time for school. Children aged 5–17 must attend school in Australia. Preschool or kindergarten is optional for children aged 3 to 5. Primary school (or prep school) is for children aged 5 to 12, and secondary school is for children aged 12–18.
Many schools have support for migrant students learning English and adjusting to new environments. This might include English as an Additional Language (EAL) support teachers.
You can enrol by contacting your local public or private school. You’ll need documents including your child’s passport, visa, immunisation record, and proof of address.
Staying healthy and well
Settling in a new country can be stressful. There are many different services for you and your family to stay healthy and well while you’re in Australia.
Australia’s public health system, Medicare, covers many health costs for citizens and eligible visa holders. These can include visits to the doctor, immunisations, hospital services, and child health checks. Some visa holders can access Medicare, so it’s important to check your visa conditions. Visiting your doctor (also called a general practitioner) can help with maintaining your family’s health.
Free mental health support services such as Beyond Blue and Lifeline are available 24/7 via phone. You can learn more by visiting their websites.
Learn more about Medicare on the Australian government Department of Health website
To sum up
Moving to a new country with young children isn’t easy, but Australia has many resources to help support migrant families. It can be helpful to learn about childcare options and apply for government assistance. Spending time researching community services, finding a family-friendly place to live, and meeting other parents can help make the move to Australia easier.