A Local Area Emergency (LAE) has been declared for Victoria following the recent COVID-19 outbreak. The LAE has been declared for all Victorian LGAS for the period Friday 28 May 2021 until Thursday 10 June 2021 and will continue to be assessed should an extension be required.
Absences
Victorian families will have access to additional absences during the LAE period if they have used their available allowable absences.
In addition to the standard 42 allowable absences, children attending a Victorian service have an extra 45 days of allowable absences for the 2020–21 financial year. This measure was introduced in response to Victoria’s second wave lockdown in 2020.
Visit our website for information about absences during emergencies.
Gap fee waiver
Services directed to close by a local authority because of COVID-19 can waive gap fees until 30 June 2021.
If services close
If you close your service, you must report the closure within 24 hours to:
- CCSAssessments@dese.gov.au
- your state or territory regulatory authority, and
- your third-party software provider.
Support for providers and services
For more information about help available before, during and after an emergency visit our Help in an emergency page.
Support for families
Families affected by COVID-19 may be eligible to receive additional support with the cost of child care through the Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship). Families must apply directly to Centrelink.
Families looking for alternative child care options during an emergency can visit Starting Blocks or Child Care Finder.