Funding
In the 2009 Budget, the Australian Government announced a total of $5.1 million in additional funding over four years to the 2012-13 financial year, to extend Outside School Hours Care for Teenagers with Disability; bringing total funding to $27.629m over the four years.
A targeted competitive selection process to increase outside school hours care places for this group will allocate this funding.
What does this activity do?
This activity assists teenagers, aged 12 to 18 years, with disability and their families by providing flexible outside school hours care. Outside schools hours care includes before, after and holiday care.
How does this activity help?
Mainstream outside school hours care services usually cater for primary school aged children. This means parents and carers of teenagers with disability find it difficult to find appropriate care; this is particularly true for the 12 to 18 year age group.
Who benefits from this activity?
The activity provides:
- teenagers with disability access to quality and flexible care; and
- parents and carers of teenagers with disability with time to participate or increase their opportunities in the paid workforce and the wider community.
How is this activity delivered?
This activity commenced in January 2008 and currently offers 1052 outside school hours care places in 48 locations across Australia.
For details of the service providers please see our website: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/disability/funding/outsideschoolcare/Pages/default.aspx.
Locations will increase in November 2009, when service providers begin delivering the extra places sought from the limited application process.
Who can apply for the extra funding announced?
Extensive consultation with disability and carer peak bodies, the child care sector and State and Territory representatives has taken place to ensure the limited funds available to extend the activity are appropriately targeted to best assist teenagers with disability and their families.
The Department will give priority to services that build on existing support available through Australian Government’s child care programs, including Child Care Benefit (CCB) and the Inclusion Support Subsidy. The Department will target services in known areas of high unmet need taking into account geographical location and community requirements.
A limited application process for services will open on 5 August 2009 through to 8 September 2009 for funding under this activity for 2009-13. You will find details on the FaHCSIA website www.fahcsia.gov.au.
How can I find out more?
For further information email otdp@fahcsia.gov.au.