Fee Rise Easy As Abc
Sydney Morning Herald
Tuesday June 24, 2008
PARENTS will pay about 11 per cent more for daily child care at ABC Learning Centres after the company said it had to put up fees to cover higher operating costs.
ABC Learning said the $6 rise to about $62 a day meant its rates would still be below the Federal Government's long day care estimate of $64.40. The new fees apply from June 30. The Federal Government warned child-care operators last week that it would not tolerate sudden fee rises before the increase in the child-care tax rebate from 30 to 50 per cent from July 1. The Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, said the Government had asked all child-care centres to provide tables showing what their fees were at the beginning of the year and any proposed increases. The data would be published on a website, allowing parents to compare costs. ABC Learning said it was reviewing its pay structure after a 15 per cent increase in its wage bills in the past two years. The company is standardising its rates across Australia, eliminating differences between its existing and acquired centres.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald