Australia is facing a significant shortage in Outside School Hours Care (OSHC), leaving many families—particularly working mothers—struggling to balance employment and childcare responsibilities.
National Access Gaps
- Only 1 in 5 students nationally have access to OSHC on any given school day.
- Regional disparities are stark:
- Broken Hill and far-west NSW: 13 schools share just 3 OSHC services.
- Perth: OSHC available to only 17% of primary students.
- Leichhardt (Sydney): Highest access rate at 45%.
State-by-State Comparison
- ACT leads with 1 in 3 students covered.
- Western Australia lags behind with just 16% access.
Economic Impact
- Over 2 million parents with children under 15 are underemployed or out of the workforce due to childcare barriers.
- More than half cite lack of childcare as the primary reason.
- Example: Dr Samantha Goss, a GP in Tasmania, misses up to 12 patient appointments daily due to OSHC constraints.
Sector Recommendations
- Prioritise on-site OSHC services at schools.
- Improve access to school buildings for OSHC providers.
- Invest in infrastructure tailored to OSHC needs.
- Implement nationally consistent workforce reforms.
- Enhance pay, training, and safety standards for OSHC staff.
Further Reading
Program Planning In OSHC Services
Strategies to Promote Positive Behaviour In OOSH Services
Reference:
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