Child care provision and women's labour market participation in Australia

Abstract

Federal financial support for child care in Australia has a twenty year history. During this period there have been significant changes both in the nature of child care policy and in the patterns of women's labour force participation. Analysis of the effects of government provision of child care in relation to labour supply has certainly not matched the pace of these developments.

This study aims to explain aspects of the complex relationship between the public provision of child care and women's labour force participation, over time. It examines the nature, costs and use of child care services and describes how federal policy for childrens' services has evolved. This is followed by discussion of the major trends in women's labour market participation, covering full-time and part-time work, and how these relate to child rearing and child care... Show more