RDAMNC has submitted a formal letter to the Australian Government advocating for equitable access to funding for all Early Childhood Education Centres (ECECs), including for-profit providers. Currently, many government grant programs exclude for-profit services, despite their significant role in regional areas.
According to the Mitchell Institute, over 60% of regional communities in Australia are classified as ‘childcare deserts’—areas with more than three children per available childcare place (Pascoe & Jackson, 2022). This funding gap contributes to the Mid North Coast’s limited access to early learning.
RDAMNC supports greater inclusion to ensure childcare centres can meet community and workforce needs and hope to update our region with a positive outcome.
Update: 24/06/2025
As part of the Regional Investment Framework (RIF), “Services” is now one of main areas identified by the Government for RDAs to focus on. One service that was identified was early childhood education and care. To obtain an understanding of the situation in our region, RDAMNC conducted a survey of both childcare providers and parents in September 2023.
RDAMNC have prepared a quantitative and qualitative summary of both surveys which can be viewed here.
This is the first part of our work in this area with follow up to come in the form of:
- Consultation with peak body and government representatives.
- Engagement of Martin Musgrave (economist) to analyse the economic impacts to providers, families and businesses. Click here to view a copy of the report.
- Workshops (in February 2024) with stakeholders to look at opportunities in the region to increase supply.
- Advocacy report on the surveys, consultations, economic analysis and workshop outcomes.
- Exploring opportunities for a pilot program focused on alternative childcare models.
This project will be ongoing due to its social and economic impact on the region’s well-being.
Update: 19/03/2026
In 2023, RDA Mid North Coast reported on a significant childcare shortage across our region. Only 65% of childcare demand was being met, costing local families an estimated $384 million in lost wages every year. Federal and State Governments have since introduced a range of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) reforms. But have these changes made a real difference on the ground for Mid North Coast families and providers?
We are surveying both ECEC providers and parents across the region to find out. Your experience matters, and your responses will directly strengthen our advocacy with all levels of government for meaningful investment and reform where it is needed most.
Both surveys are short, anonymous, and take under five minutes to complete.
For ECEC providers: share your insights on capacity, workforce pressures, demand, and the impact of recent policy changes.
Click the link to complete the Provider Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZHH2QBQ
For parents and families: tell us whether access to childcare has improved, and what barriers remain.
Click the link to complete the Parent Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZBNQLGS
Read the full 2023 analysis: https://rdamnc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/231010-Child-Care-Survey-Summary.pdf
Questions? Contact Dianne Wall at operations@rdamnc.org.au