The Federal Government is cracking down on dodgy providers.
Two ACT family day care providers have been named and shamed on a Federal Government register of services that have been sanctioned or had subsidies suspended.
In its latest update, the register says both Almighty God Blessing Family Day Care in Belconnen and Jubba Family Day Care in Dickson had subsidies suspended last year for not complying with State or Federal government law.
The Department of Education and Training established the Child Care Enforcement Action Register as part of its crackdown on ‘dodgy’ providers and so the public could access information about centres that have come under scrutiny.
Almighty God Blessing Family Day Care was suspended from 21 July 2017, and Jubba Family Day Care from 25 October, both under section 201A of A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999.
They are two of 53 providers across Australia that have had Commonwealth Government subsidies cancelled or suspended in the first half of 2017-2018.
Four ACT providers were named in 2016-17, including Almighty God Blessing Family Day Care in Pearce, which had its subsidies suspended.
Australian Education and Training Services in Belconnen and Great Beginnings & Future Family Day Care in Downer also incurred suspensions, while Creative Kids Family Day Care in Flynn was sanctioned and had subsidies cancelled.
Education and Training Minister Simon Birmingham said the Government would not tolerate providers making illegitimate claims, increasing compliance checks to more than 3800 per year.
“It’s clear our action is weeding out those looking to take advantage of families and rip off taxpayers,” he said.
“Whilst we know the majority of family day care providers are legitimate and provide high-quality care, those who break the rules will be caught and we will do everything in our power to shut you down.”
Estimates had shown that the combination of legislative measures addressing sharp practice and non-compliance as well as the Department’s ongoing enforcement effort had stopped around $1.8 billion of taxpayer money going out the door to dodgy providers since the beginning of 2014, the Minister said.
The Department operates an anonymous tip-off line for the public to call if they become aware of any services undertaking illegal or fraudulent activities – 1800 664 231. Alternatively, you can email tipoffline@education.gov.au.
The updated Enforcement Action Register is available at: www.education.gov.au/child-care-enforcement-action-register.
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