Excerpts from the report:
Changes in the affordability of child care have implications for many areas of policy. From an adult's perspective, it affects balancing work and family, participation in the labour force, participation in education and training, and community involvement. From a child's perspective, it affects equitable access for all children to opportunities to learn and develop through formal care.
It is apparent that changes to government funding and assistance have influenced the affordability of child care for families. This analysis shows that between 1991 and 2000, the affordability declined for many families, but the introduction of the CCB [Child Care Benefit] in 2000 turned this around. However, by 2004, some of the gains in affordability had been eroded. This was due to increases in fees that outstripped increases in average weekly earnings and government assistance offered to families.