FED:Childcare changes start in 2012

AAP General News (Australia)
12-29-2011
FED:Childcare changes start in 2012

By Katina Curtis

CANBERRA, Dec 29 AAP - Childcare centres will be governed under a national framework
for the first time from January 1.

The first stage of the federal government's national quality framework starts in 2012,
with the rest of the scheme to be phased in by 2020.

From January 1, childcare centres must have one staff member for every four babies
younger than 24 months.

This changes from a 1:5 ratio currently in place in South Australia, Tasmania, the
ACT and the Northern Territory. The other states already have a 1:4 ratio.

Child Care Minister Kate Ellis said the operation of a single national regulatory body
would remove duplication and inconsistencies created by the operation of eight separate
systems.

The new year's legislative changes will bring a bonus for parents with teenage children
- as long as those kids stay in study.

An income-tested boost to Centrelink's Family Tax Benefit Part A will give parents
of 16- to 19-year-olds up to $214.06 extra a fortnight.

But to be eligible their children must be in full-time secondary school or a vocational
equivalent, such as a TAFE course.

As well, those students up to age 19 will count as a rent assistance child from January 1.

Payments to Australians on various pensions, study and youth allowances will be boosted
in line with the consumer price index from New Year's Day.

January 1 also brings further changes to youth allowance eligibility, with all regional
student applications being treated the same.

Previously, students from areas classified as inner regional had to meet more stringent
requirements than those from more remote areas.

Regional students will also be able to access special relocation scholarships of $4000
in their first year of study and $2000 in the second and third years.

As well, the youth allowance age of independence will be reduced to 22.

These changes will cost the government $265 million.

People who have already studied at university will be hit by a reduced discount for
paying off their Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debts.

The discount for paying off the debt completely, or voluntarily contributing more than
$500, will halve to five per cent from January 1.

Uniform national occupational health and safety laws also come into effect from the
start of 2012.

The long-awaited legislation passed the federal parliament in November and all states
and territories were expected to bring their OHS laws into line by the end of 2011.

Two new bodies to regulate the offshore petroleum industry start work on January 1.

The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority and the
National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator will be based in Perth.

Resources Minister Martin Ferguson said they would have have wide-ranging responsibilities
to ensure the industry is among the world's best and safest.

Other new programs beginning in 2012 include free hearing devices and rehabilitation
services for people aged under 26 with hearing difficulties, and a system of incentive
payments to encourage nurses to work in general practices.

To protect consumers, new standards for warranties against defect will apply from January 1.

And regulation of migration agents is being tightened to require them to demonstrate
they are a fit and proper person and have professional indemnity insurance.

Fees for some visas, including short stay sponsored business visas, are increasing
in the new year.

For tobacco products, new standards for graphic health warnings will come into effect.

AAP klc/klm/afr/was

KEYWORD: CHANGES FEDERAL

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