Why don't we Give Nannies (and their employers) a Break?

Why don't we Give Nannies (and their employers) a Break?

The Australian workforce is half women, a good proportion of whom will have children at some point if they don't already. Yet child care places are seemingly getting harder to come by and most definitely more expensive; occasional care has been given a bit of a battering in terms of funding and with child care shortages for under two's for centre-based care sometimes the only option for parents is a nanny.

Employers are slowly progressing, giving working mums more flexibility. Many women now work flexible hours, part time or from home, but this flexibility doesn't seem to transfer into child care…unless you have a nanny or an au pair.

So if the government is keen on increasing the population and keeping mothers in the workforce, encouraging flexible working and parent friendly workplaces, why is the obvious lifeline for many a working family (the nanny) actively discriminated against?

Nannies are perfect for people with several children. They can adapt to different child care needs from babies to preschool to school age children; they are perfect for children with special needs; they eliminate the need for petrol and adding more time in to the commute through drop off and pick up. They can work odd hours, help with some domestic duties where agreed and generally be an amazing support to a working family.

We should move with the times. Australia is well known for its "tall poppy" culture, and are seen to be some sort of draconian relic of a past colonial lifestyle. A mark of a family with too much money and not enough time for their children. Yet it's really the opposite. Working families recognize the need for one on one attention to young children and if it's financially necessary for the parents to work, then a nanny is a great way to ensure little children get consistent care, security and nurture in the home environment.

Nannies are often very well qualified in child care, but often not deemed "formal" enough to allow their employers to receive the same benefits and rebate for childcare as they would if their children were in a child care centre.

It is sometimes possible for parents who employ nannies to claim child care benefit and rebate. They can become ‘Registered Care Providers' (RCPs) or ‘approved carers' if they meet certain criteria. In order to become a RCP, the nanny must complete an application, which can be obtained by calling the Family Assistance Office (13 6150).

But be warned it's complicated! You'd be forgiven for thinking that there's a conspiracy by successive governments to make the process so complex that people get confused about their eligibility and what they need to do to be eligible, and just give up in frustration! Call the Family Assistance office for clarification.

Does the lack of rebate put you off hiring a nanny? Would you hire a nanny if the rebate and child care benefit process was as simple as it is for other forms of child care? Click here to let us know.

If you are looking for a nanny, don't forget to check out our Nanny Toolkit, which gives you all the resources and information you need when choosing and employing a nanny.