FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said families in the New England Electorate only have a few days left to apply to participate in the Australian Government’s new Nanny Pilot Programme.

Mr Joyce said the pilot will greatly benefit families who struggle to access child care because of where they live or the hours they work.

“We know the cost and accessibility of child care is a barrier for parents in the New England Electorate who want to work or work more hours or those who work shifts—like police officers, hospitality workers, nurses and emergency workers,” he said.

“The Nanny Pilot Programme will help families meet the cost of using a nanny, making an additional form of subsidised care available to families.

“This two-year $246 million pilot will help the Government determine how to provide more equitable support for those families to access child care in their family home that meets their circumstances.

“This is a great opportunity for parents who need to use a nanny, and I encourage families in the New England Electorate to put in their applications as soon as possible so they don’t miss out. Families have until 30 October to apply”.

Families are eligible for the Nanny Pilot Programme if they earn less than $250,000, both parents (or in the case of a sole parent family, the sole parent) work, train or study at least eight hours a fortnight, and at least one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Applications for families close on Friday 30 October. More information is available at www.dss.gov.au/nannypilot or by phoning 1800 249 873 (business hours).