This publication provides information about child care across Australia for the December quarter 2010. The data in the report are sourced primarily from the Department’s administrative system, the Child Care Management System.

Key findings

In the December quarter 2010 there were 911,990 Australian children in approved child care, up 4 per cent on the December quarter 2009.

Almost one in four children aged 0 to 12 years attended child care in the December quarter 2010.

During the December quarter 2010, the total estimated expenditure on Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate was $854.9 million.

The Australian Government has made a significant investment in child care in regional areas with approximately 28 per cent of children attending child care in regional and remote areas of Australia.

Australian Government subsidies have reduced the cost of child care.