We have declared a Local Area Emergency (LAE) for the period 12 to 18 May 2022 following heavy rainfall in Lockyer Valley, Southern Downs and Moreton Bay local government areas.
Our table of emergency declarations provides key dates and regions eligible for support.
The following support is available during the LAE. We’re monitoring the situation and will provide updates as required.
Child Care Subsidy
Services that close during the LAE should continue to submit session reports to receive Child Care Subsidy (CCS) payments.
Gap fees
Services in an LAE-declared region can waive the gap fee if a child does not attend, or the service is closed as a result of the emergency.
Services outside an LAE-declared region can waive the gap fee if a child that lives within an LAE-declared region does not attend care as a result of the emergency.
In the above scenarios, services can waive gap fees for the entire duration of the LAE period.
Absences
Children who live, or attend a service, in an LAE-declared region will get extra allowable absences for the duration of the LAE. They will be automatically applied in the Child Care Subsidy System (CCSS) shortly.
This means families won’t have to use any of their 52 allowable absences during the LAE period.
Community Child Care Fund
The Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) Special Circumstances grant helps services stay open when something unexpected happens, such as a local emergency. Affected services can apply on our website.
Applicants should request funding after an event has occurred and they have accessed other disaster support.
Temporary financial hardship
Affected families may be eligible for extra help with the cost of child care through the Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship).
Families must apply directly to Centrelink.
Other support
The Australian Government provides payments and help for people affected by natural disasters. Find out if you’re eligible for support on the Services Australia website. The Queensland Government has support for individuals and businesses impacted by a natural disaster.
Check these sites often as the information is updated regularly.
For action
- You must let us know if you temporarily close your service. You can do this via the Provider Entry Point (PEP) or your third-party software. You also need to tell your state or territory regulatory authority.
- Update your contact details, particularly email addresses, in the Child Care Subsidy System so you don’t miss important information. Do this via the PEP or your third-party software.
- Update your vacancy details on StartingBlocks.gov.au. Do this via the PEP or your third-party software.
- Ask families to maintain their enrolments. This will ensure their children receive continuity of care and early learning.
- Keep an eye on the Queensland Government's disasters and alerts website for current emergency information in your region
- Learn more about help for the early childhood sector during an emergency on our website.