With the worst childcare access in Australia, families in the electorate of Grey need urgent action and support
Across regional South Australia, 23 councils are calling on state and federal governments to step up and fix an ever-growing childcare crisis. There’s a whole swag of country families stuck in what’s been dubbed a “childcare desert” with limited or completely non-existent options.
Shockingly, a 2022 study by the Mitchell Institute found that parts of South Australia’s North and West, within the vast federal electorate of Grey, have the worst childcare access in the entire country. Think about that – the worst in Australia. That means parents either can’t work or are forced to drive long distances, often to major centres that are already stretched thin.
How childcare shortages hurt everyone
And when families struggle to access childcare, it’s not just parents and kids who feel the impact. Businesses can’t find staff, fewer people move to town, and entire regional economies and services suffer.
That’s why the Regional Childcare Desert Advocacy Project is pushing for change before it’s too late. They’re asking the state and federal governments to invest in regional childcare, help parents stay in the workforce, and support country communities to grow and thrive.
But to fix this problem, sustainable funding models and long-term solutions are needed to support childcare services where they’re needed most. That includes looking at how Family Day Care operates in regional areas. Current regulations make it harder than it needs to be for qualified carers to offer flexible childcare options. Making it easier for local carers to provide this service could mean more jobs and more childcare options for families.
The project’s spokesperson, Mayor Jo-Anne Quigley from the Lower Eyre Council, said the group is working hard to advocate for their electorate but understands this is also a statewide issue. She adds the importance of parents and communities affected by childcare shortages jumping on board and lending their voices. “As we head into the 2025 federal election, we want people to keep telling us their stories, whether that be a personal story, or from the perspective of businesses owners and the wider community.”
You can support the push for change by following and sharing the Regional Childcare Drought Advocacy on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn and contacting State and Federal political candidates within these areas so that regional South Australian’s aren’t hung out to dry.
