Australian Government announces new toll free helpline for families

The Australian Government today announced a new national toll free helpline for families looking for early childhood services and child care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister for Education, Dan Tehan, said the government established the helpline to provide assistance and support to families, including essential workers and those with vulnerable children. The helpline will provide parents and carers with information on a range of service types, including centre-based day care, family day care, outside school hours care and vacation care.

Families can call the helpline on 1800 291 041 from 9am to 5pm (AEST), Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

The helpline is being delivered by ACECQA and builds on the Starting Blocks and Child Care Finder online tools used by parents and carers to search for available child care or early education places.

ACECQA welcomes the opportunity to help the Australian Government in delivering this important service for families.

More information about the toll free helpline is available on the Starting Blocks and ACECQA websites.