Senator Matt O’Sullivan
Shadow Minister for Choice in Childcare and Early Learning
Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence
Deputy Manager of Opposition Business
Senator for Western Australia
Media Release
23 September 2026
New research released today by The Parenthood confirms the reality families across Australia know all too well, raising a family is costing more. According to their analysis, the cost of having a family has increased 134% over the past two decades, compared with 102% growth in household disposable income. This is a surprise to no one. Every family feels this daily.
But at the same time, new Commonwealth data released earlier this week shows only 47.8% of Australian children aged five and under are currently accessing the Child Care Subsidy in the June 2026 quarter. Over the past year the number of children using approved care fell 2.1%, while the number of Centre Based Day Care services grew 2.9%.
The Prime Minister’s pursuit of universal childcare as a legacy is doing a disservice to the families who are crying out for greater choice and flexibility. No two families are the same, and Labor must finally recognise no single model of care will work for every family.
More than half of Australian children five and under are not in CCS-approved care. These families matter too.
If we are serious about making it easier to raise a family in Australia, parents need to be given more choice, more flexibility, and more options to decide what works best for them. Not be forced into a universal one-size-fits-all system.
The Coalition believes every family deserves quality care, genuine choice and real flexibility. We will continue working toward a childcare ecosystem that supports families, rather than imposing a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach.
ENDS