Priority of Access Guidelines

When positions are currently available children are granted entry to the centre on a first come basis. Where positions are limited, the centre maintains a waiting list divided into age groups and priority of admittance is regulated by The Australian Government Department of Education as follows:                            

1. a child at risk of serious abuse or neglect
2. a child of a single parent who satisfies, or of parents who both satisfy, the work/training/study test under Section 14 of the 'A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999'
3. any other child.

Within these main categories priority should also be given to the following children:

• children in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
• children in families which include a disabled person
• children in families which include an individual whose adjusted taxable income does not exceed the lower income threshold of $43,727 for 2015-2016, or who or whose partner are on income support
• children in families from a non-English speaking background
• children in socially isolated families
• children of single parents.

A child care service may require a Priority 3 child to vacate a place to make room for a child with a higher priority. They can only do so if you:

• are notified when your child first entered care that your service follows this policy
• are given at least 14 days notice of the need for your child to vacate.