In Home Care (IHC) is an approved child care service under the Australian Government’s revised In Home Care child care package, which commenced on 2 July 2018. IHC originated from the “greater flexibility and choice in childcare” element of the Australian Government’s Stronger Families and Communities Strategy, announced by the Prime Minister in April 2000, which aimed to make in-home childcare available to families in special circumstances.
Funded by the Australian Government since its inception, IHC provides flexible, high-quality child care delivered in the child’s own home by an approved educator. To ensure positive outcomes for children, care is monitored and supported by an approved agency, known as a Service Provider.
The revised IHC program is capped at 3,200 places nationally (from 1 January 2019), providing up to 100 hours of subsidised care per child per fortnight. The hourly rate is capped at $39.80 for families eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and $47.76 for families eligible for the Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS).
The program is designed to assist families who are unable to access mainstream child care options, including those:
- Working non-standard or variable hours outside normal child care service hours
- Living in geographically isolated areas, particularly in rural or remote locations
- Experiencing complex or challenging family circumstances
Families accessing IHC due to complex needs may include:
- Children with additional needs or disabilities whose early childhood education and care requirements cannot be met in other approved child care settings
- Families where a parent is undergoing treatment for a serious illness
- Other complex family situations preventing access to other approved child care types
IHC services must comply with all applicable State and Territory regulations and licensing requirements.
The Department of Education contracts IHC Support Agencies to manage services in each state and territory. These agencies recommend place allocations to the Department, which ensures equitable distribution to families who meet eligibility criteria. IHC Support Agencies also:
- Match families with suitable educators and services
- Refer families to other support services as needed
- Monitor care delivery to ensure it focuses on education and care and maintains appropriate fee practices
- Advocate for families and support educators
IHC Services are responsible for engaging, managing, and supporting qualified educators, including maintaining workplace health and safety standards. Services must also ensure they do not exceed their allocated number of places, meaning they may not always be able to meet the needs of all eligible families.