State of child care in Australia

This report provides a statistical analysis of the Australian child care market over the last five years. It shows: •    The number of long day care centres increased from 4,751 to 5,758 between 2005 and 2009. This is an increase of more than 1000 centres, or 21%, and equates to an average increase of about 250 centres each year. •    The number of children using long day care has increased by 15% over the past four years. •    The proportion of long day care hours being used has declined from 77% in 2005 to 75% in 2009. •    Out-of-pocket costs to families have fallen across all income levels. In 2004 families earning $55,000 a year spent 13% of their disposable income on child care, this has fallen to 7% in 2009. Image: Report cove