The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

1.1.A.90 Approved provider, approved child care service, approved child care (CCS)

Definition: approved provider

For the purposes of CCS, an approved provider is an entity (such as company, individual, partnership) who operates a child care service or services and to which all obligations and liabilities of the service are attached.

The Secretary approves a provider for the purposes of the FA law and must be satisfied that:

  • the provider satisfies the provider eligibility rules in FA(Admin)Act section 194C, and
  • the provider operates, or will operate, at least 1 child care service that satisfies the service eligibility rules in FA(Admin)Act section 194D.

Definition: approved child care service

For the purposes of CCS, an approved child care service is any one of the following types of child care services, as specified by the Secretary on the Notice of Approval to a child care provider for the purposes of FA law:

Definition: approved child care

For the purposes of CCS, approved child care is child care provided by an approved child care service but is not any of the following:

  • informal care provided through personal arrangements,
  • a service primarily conducted to provide instruction in an activity (such as sport or music),
  • a service primarily conducted to provide a disability or early intervention service,
  • a service where a parent primarily provides care or is readily available and retains responsibility for the child while the service is provided (such as a play group),
  • a service primarily providing short‑term irregular care at premises where the parent is a visitor or guest and the parent is readily available (such as a service provided by a gym),
  • a service that primarily provides an early educational program to children in the year that is 2 years before grade 1 of school (such as a preschool or kindergarten).

Act reference: FA(Admin)Act section 194C Provider eligibility rules, section 194D Service eligibility rules

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