Explanatory Note

This note is not part of the programme, but is intended to indicate its general effect.

This programme provides for a new form of childcare assistance called the guaranteed childcare assistance payment (GCAP).

Young parents receiving a young parent payment or who are the spouses or partners of specified beneficiaries are (subject to compliance with certain conditions) entitled to GCAP if their eligible children attend an approved early-childhood education programme while they are complying with obligations under section 170(1)(a) to (c) of the Social Security Act 1964 (youth activity obligations) or for up to 15 hours a week when they are working part-time in addition to complying with youth activity obligations.

Young parents not in receipt of a benefit under the Social Security Act 1964 who are returning to or remaining in a course of secondary instruction may (subject to compliance with certain conditions) be granted GCAP in the discretion of the chief executive if their eligible children attend an approved early-childhood education programme while they participate in that course or for up to 15 hours a week when they are working part-time in addition to participating in that course.

GCAP replaces young parent childcare assistance under the Training Incentive Allowance Programme, and the provisions of that programme relating to that assistance are revoked.

GCAP is only available for hours when the child is not receiving free early childhood education and neither childcare assistance under section 61GA of the Social Security Act 1964 or childcare assistance under any other welfare programme is payable. The rate at which GCAP is payable is $6.00 per hour for up to 50 hours a week and not more than $300.00 a week.