Working Families are desperate for more support from the Federal Government

Working Families are the backbone of the Australian society and economy and yet they don’t get the support from the Federal Government they need in terms of child care. 

 

Parents At Work ran a working families survey for the month of April 2017.  With 328 respondents the survey provides up-to-date, relevant statics on the experience of working parents (and families) in terms of work, child care and Federal Government support.

 

In fact when asked if the Federal Government is doing enough to support working parents, the overwhelming majority 81% said they would like to see the Federal Government provide them with more support. 

 

Specifically they would  like more federal government support in the areas like higher financial subsidies for child care, paying higher rates to child care workers, and more child care places. 

“The rising cost of child care continues to be a barrier for working parents – specifically accessibility of child care and affordability of child care.  These two issues have a significant impact on the number of mothers working full-time.“ states Celeste Kirby-Brown, Sales and Marketing Director of Parents At Work and author of the report.

 

Respondents had many excellent ideas for addressing the accessibility and affordability of child care issues including:

1.       Treating “Childcare as a work related expense on my tax.”

2.       Allowing “Salary sacrifice child care fees.”

3.       Seeing “…school hours changed to be in line with working hours.”

 

About the 2017 Working Families Report

The report was compiled from a group of 324 working parents and was run for the month of April 2017.  It was completely anonymous and asked questions on the following:

1.       Gender

2.       Participation in paid work

3.       Living with a partner

4.       The partner’s participation in paid work

5.       Use of formal and informal child care

6.       Unfair treatment by employers during pregnancy, during leave or whilst returning to work

7.       Support given by employers to working families

8.       Support given by the Federal Government to working families

 

The Parents At Work working families survey provided a unique opportunity for everyday Australian parents to be heard on key issues that impact their career and family life.

 

You can download your copy of the working families report here.