Childcare

Defence families can face challenges securing childcare when posting to a new location or changing work or care arrangements.

Defence offers a number of options to support families to access suitable childcare services.

Individual case management

Members can access individual case management (ICM) services, ensuring childcare is tailored to their circumstances. ICM support includes:

• negotiating with local childcare providers
• organising family daycare
• arranging before and after school care
• submit application for Australian Government In-Home Care Support Agency – If eligible.

Defence's childcare service provider, One Tree Community Services, have specialist early learning staff who provide families with childcare service options.

Contact the Defence Member and Family Helpline to access ICM.

Self search

Families can also search for childcare options in their local area independently.

• Search for playgroups, parents' groups and other local support networks.
• Use the Child Care Finder website.
• Call the Government Childcare Access Hotline on 1800 670 305.
• Contact Defence childcare centre (listed below).

Defence supported childcare centres

Defence supports a network of childcare centres, managed by One Tree Community Services, where Defence families receive priority access.

Placement of children is allocated based on these priority access guidelines.

Childcare priority access guidelines (PDF, 174.17 KB)