Helping hand for child care providers affected by Tasmanian bushfires

The Federal Liberal National Government is offering child care providers in Tasmania impacted by the recent bushfires special grant funding of up to $10,000 to help with community recovery.

One-off grants are available for providers whose financial viability may have been impacted by the recent bushfires in Tasmania. Liberal Senator for Tasmania Eric Abetz has urged all local child care providers affected by the bushfires in the Huon Valley, the Central Highlands and on the West Coast to apply for funding.

"There are many families doing it tough after being hit by the recent bushfires and this is just another way that the Federal and State Liberal Governments are working to support local families," Senator Abetz said.

"Child care providers are also having a hard time, attendance may be intermittent or their operations may have been directly impacted by the bushfires. These one-off grants of up to $10,000 can be used to help services remain viable, such as temporarily meeting standard operating costs or covering other reasonable expenses to ensure the continuity of child care."

Minister for Education Dan Tehan said the application process for special circumstances grants through the Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) had been streamlined for eligible providers in disaster struck areas.

"The CCCF includes up to $4 million in 2018-19 to support services in disadvantaged communities at risk of closure due to issues caused by unforeseen events, such as bushfires and floods," Mr Tehan said.

"All child care provider types can apply for CCCF special circumstances grants. Applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis including the degree to which the service has been impacted by the natural disasters."

Further information, including eligibility details and the new streamlined application form, can be found online at https://www.education.gov.au/cccfspecialcircs or by emailing cccf@education.gov.au