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As more family day care services move toward Direct Gap Fee Collection (DGFC), understanding what the transition looks like in practice can make all the difference. To support services through this change, FDCA has developed a comprehensive suite of DGFC resources — including two detailed case studies highlighting real-world experiences from services that have already made the shift.
These case studies offer valuable, sector-specific insights designed to help approved providers and coordinators plan, prepare, and implement DGFC smoothly and effectively.
Reducing the Administrative Load
Discover how one service successfully streamlined its operations by rethinking internal processes and embracing digital solutions during its DGFC transition. This case study explores practical strategies to reduce administrative burden, improve efficiency, and strengthen communication with educators and families — all while maintaining compliance and financial transparency. Read in full here.
Getting Debt Management Right
This case study focuses on how another service used DGFC implementation as an opportunity to review and strengthen its debt management practices. Learn how proactive planning, clear policy updates, and transparent communication with families helped the service maintain financial stability and support positive relationships within its community. Read more here.
The full suite of DGFC resources, including these case studies, templates, and implementation guides, is available now on the Family Day Care Australia website.
On Friday 3 October 2025, FDCA made a submission to the Senate Inquiry into the quality and safety of Australia’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) system.
The purpose of the Inquiry is to examine and make recommendations on the quality and safety of the ECEC system, focusing on systemic issues, the regulatory framework, the workforce, funding models, the impact of for-profit providers and transparency. It aims to identify areas for improvement and inform long-term reforms towards a high-quality, universal early learning system.
In this submission, FDCA addresses the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference through a family day care lens, highlighting the unique value, flexibility and reach of the family day care model, particularly for children in regional and remote communities, families working non-standard hours, and culturally and linguistically diverse households.
FDCA puts forward a series of detailed, evidence-based recommendations relating to:
Throughout the submission, FDCA argues that child safety must remain paramount and must be pursued through regulation that is proportionate, practicable, and grounded in sound legal and ethical principles.
FDCA urges the government to recognise the structural distinctiveness of the family day care sector in the design of regulation, funding, oversight and public policy.
To read the full submission visit the FDCA website.
Yes – a family day care educator’s own child can attend a family day care service. However, under current Family Assistance Law, the educator (parent) is not eligible to claim Child Care Subsidy (CCS) or Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) for their child’s care if they are providing care through their own family day care business on that same day. In this situation, the educator (parent) would be required to pay full fees.
Key Points to Know
For more information, visit the Department of Education website or refer to the Child Care Provider Handbook.
FDCA is pleased to welcome Natalia Edwards to the FDCA Board of Directors as a Board-appointed Director.
Natalia is the Head of Finance and Operations at Centennial Property Group.
With over 15 years of professional experience in the real estate industry, Natalia has held various roles in finance and funds management. During this time, Natalia has led process improvement and business transformation initiatives and developed strong expertise in financial oversight, risk management and strategic planning.
Natalia is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA), holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Master of Business Administration (USYD) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Welcome Natalia!
As a member of FDCA, did you know that you have access to a range of FREE customisable marketing resources that you can use to promote your family day care?
For many early childhood professionals and services, the time and cost involved in developing marketing materials is daunting.
FDCA’s Market My Business Hub provides you with easy access to professionally crafted customised marketing resources to promote your business. With updated material and more options than ever available, you can order customised digital material so that you can have it printed as you see fit.
What’s available in the Market My Business Hub?
All material in the Market My Business Hub has been designed on the back of extensive market research and sector consultation, so you can be sure that the material you order will resonate with your audience.
With a wide range of digital resources available in the Market My Business Hub, members can access:
To access the Market My Business Hub, click here.
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