Scrapping activity test could help close the gap

By PETER ROWE

The Federal Government’s commitment to remove the childcare subsidy Activity Test for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children has the potential to significantly close the gap in life outcomes, National Voice for our Children CEO Catherine Liddle believes.

Ms Liddle said the annuncement would see thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children able to access early education and care.

“This can be a game-changer for our babies. It will mean more children developmentally ready for school, setting them up for a thriving future,” Ms Liddle said.

“Families will be better supported by having access to wrap around services in Aboriginal community-controlled (ACCO) centres.”

SNAICC has advocated for the removal of the Activity Test for many years.

Ms Liddle said the activity test had denied many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children the opportunity to access early learning services.

“Our families are five times more likely to access only one day of care as a result of the activity test, and many families disengage completely because of the small amount of subsidised care available,” she said.

“These reforms to early education and care also have the potential for wider impacts in the community, with recent studies showing interventions in ECEC settings with vulnerable children and their families may be the key to reducing youth crime.”