ACCC inquiries into childcare
On 28 October 2022, the Treasurer directed the ACCC to conduct an inquiry into the market for the supply of childcare services. The inquiry provided an interim report in June 2023 and a final report in December 2023.
On 29 January 2024, we released our final report for the inquiry into childcare services. The report contains our findings and recommendations related to the impact of the Cheaper Child Care reforms, prices, costs, profits, competition within childcare markets and subsidies and price regulation models.
ACCC action on childcare
After a year-long inquiry, the ACCC has found that childcare markets under the current regulatory settings are not delivering on key policy objectives for all households and communities, including in relation to accessibility and affordability.
Market forces alone have failed to meet community expectations and government objectives for childcare services and policy, the ACCC’s Childcare inquiry second interim report has found. The findings are based on analysis of childcare markets, the Child Care Subsidy and the role price and quality play in demand for and supply of childcare.
The ACCC is asking parents and guardians from culturally and linguistically diverse communities to share their views on childcare services in Australia, as part of its year-long inquiry into the sector.