16 NovTalk to families about enrolments to avoid debts
As lock downs end, it is important that services talk to families about their plans to return to care. DESE don’t usually pay Child Care Subsidy (CCS) for any days after the last day a child physically attends. However, they will pay CCS for absences after a child’s last physical attendance for up to 28 days after a COVID-19 hotspot ends, for hotspots that lasted more than 7 days. In Victoria the key dates to end enrolments are:
- metropolitan Melbourne: 18 November
- Mildura: 18 November
- Mitchell Shire: 10 November
- rest of Victoria: 7 October
Services must take action to avoid a debt by:
- speaking to families about their intentions to return
- identifying any families who want to end their enrolment
- identifying if the planned enrolment end date falls during a COVID-19 hotspot of more than seven days or within 28 days of the hotspot ending
- if the above criteria is met, record an attendance on the last day of the child’s enrolment.
If services don’t end a child’s enrolment, and the child continues to not attend care, the service may accrue a debt on behalf of the family.
For further information contact the CCS Helpdesk 9a.m. to 5p.m. AEDT Monday to Friday 1300 667 276 or email ccshelpdesk@dese.gov.au.
