CHILD CARE
During 2008-09, the expenditure on child care by businesses/organisations in-scope of the survey (i.e. excluding pre-school) was $3.8b, which equates to 15% of direct community service expenditure. The majority of this was by the private sector, with 'for profit' businesses expending $2.5b, in comparison to 'not for profit' organisations, which expended $0.9b on child care services.
Child care included long day care, family day care, occasional care, before and after school care, and vacation care. The most significant child care activity during 2008-09, was long day care, which accounted for $3.1b (81%) of total child care expenditure. The majority of this expenditure ($2.3b) was by 'for profit' businesses. Expenditure on before and/or after school care was the next largest child care activity with $0.3b.
The average number of children per day in long day care during 2008-09 was 233,734, with 180,136 (77%) of these in centres run by 'for profit' businesses. Before and/or after school care had the second largest average number of children per day (82,071).