Childcare Allowance

The allowance is in response to widespread concern from the local government sector that a lack of financial support for childcare creates a barrier for people, in particular women, to enter into elected positions.

A number of councils in Australia and the United Kingdom provide their elected members with childcare allowances when they conduct local authority business.

Allowance rate

Eligible elected members can claim up to $6,000 per year for each child if the childcare meets the criteria.

Eligibility

Elected members are eligible for the allowance if:

• they are engaged on local authority business at the time of the childcare,
• they are the parent or guardian of the child, or usually has day-to-day responsibility for care of the child, and
• the child is under 14 years of age.

Criteria

The childcare must be provided by someone who:

• is not a family member of the elected member, and
• does not ordinarily reside with the elected member.

Elected members must provide evidence of the amount paid for childcare.