Briefly outlined below are the roles and responsibilities of the various levels of Government in relation to child care services which are licensed. 

State Government

The State Government, through the Child Care Unit, licenses, monitors and supports child care services in Tasmania to facilitate the provision of high quality services. Licensed services must be legal entities which are viable and able to respond appropriately to the responsibilities involved in operating a service.

Through its publications and provision of advice, the Child Care Unit assists parents to locate possible child care services in their area. The Department also has a limited amount of capital funding to assist community service providers and provides some operational funding to some occasional care services.

Local Government

Many local government organisations [PDF 773KB] support child care by becoming the continuing sponsor of a child care service by sponsoring a service until it becomes established and can be supported by a community management committee. Local councils often give assistance 'in kind' to child care services by assisting with administrative functions or by maintaining the grounds and car parking areas. Their expertise is also available in areas requiring specialist knowledge such as safety aspects of buildings and play areas.

Australian Government

The Australian Government assists the provision of child care by making child care more affordable through the provision of child care benefit for eligible parents and some funding of programs. For information contact the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in your State or Territory or Centrelink on 131 524.