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| Child Care Benefit for Nannies
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The government's new Nanny Pilot Programme is set to kick off in January 2016 and has been designed to help families struggling to access mainstream child care services due to non-standard work/study hours or because they live in rural or remote areas. But even if you aren't able to take part in the programme it's worth knowing that there are ways you may be able to claim for Child Care Benefit (CCB) and Child Care Rebate (CCR) if you employ a nanny.
While parents directly employing a nanny themselves or through a small agency or nanny finder will not be able to claim child care benefit or rebate, some of the larger nanny and in-home care agencies are approved child care providers and can therefore pass on the eligibility to claim CCB and CCR to the parents who employ their nanny through the agency.
Louise Dunham from nanny and in-home care placement specialists, Placement Solutions, said: "A side effect of the recent publicity to do with the pilot programme has been the common but erroneous belief that there is no government assistance available for in-home child care or nannies. That is not actually true."
Both the Child Care Benefit (CCB) and Child Care Rebate (CCR) are available to families who qualify and are able to access a supported place through an approved agency such as Placement Solutions.
"The criteria for eligibility are quite narrow," says Dunham, "but if you work long hours, or if you meet any of the other eligibility requirements, then you may be able to access the rebates," she said.
The best way to find out is to call the Department of Education on 13 61 50.
Placement Solutions have a very useful eBook with information about claiming benefits plus 36 other useful tips about hiring a nanny. Simply click here to begin the download!
Nanny Pilot Programme: Applications for families now open!
Families who wish to participate in the Nanny Pilot Programme have until 5pm AEDT on 30 October 2015 to submit an application. Further information can be found on the families page of the Department of Human Services.
What is it?
The Nanny Pilot Programme runs from January 2016 to December 2017 and aims to extend child care fee assistance to families who use a nanny to help them stay in or return to work.
The programme aims to support the child care needs of families who need more flexible care due to their location, hours of work or the special needs of their children.
The Nanny Pilot Programme aims to provide eligibility to a broader range of families who meet work, training, or study requirements to access a nanny, with a focus on prioritising parents who work non-standard hours and are unable to access mainstream child care due to their family circumstances.
Are you eligible?
Families must make an application to participate in this programme and must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Must earn a combined annual household income of less than $250,000. Families on incomes above $250,000 will not be eligible for subsidies under the Nanny Pilot Programme.
- Both parents are required to be engaged in work, training, or study for a minimum of eight hours per fortnight. This also includes reasonable travel time.
- At least one parent/guardian must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident.
- Children in receipt of care must be dependents and under the age of 13 years old.
- All child care subsidies and support from 1 January 2016 will remain linked to immunisation requirements that will be strengthened under the government's 'no jab, no pay' policy. Children must have received all vaccines required for their age as per the immunisation schedule. The only exemption to this policy will be on medical grounds.
Confused?
It's a bit complicated so if you're still not sure about your eligibility or need to find out more information about how to take part (there are limited numbers) call 13 61 50.
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