A groundbreaking study by Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute reveals that nearly one in four Australians live in what is termed a “childcare desert,” where the demand for childcare far exceeds the available spaces.
This international study, which maps childcare access across nine countries, highlights a significant issue: 700,000 Australians are in areas with virtually no childcare options.
According to Associate Professor Peter Hurley, the findings underscore the critical role of accessible, high-quality childcare in enhancing workforce participation and early childhood development.
Despite Australia’s overall ranking of fourth in childcare accessibility among the nine nations studied, the situation varies widely across the country.

In New South Wales, 28% of residents are in childcare deserts, with regional areas like Dubbo and Bathurst facing severe shortages. Victoria and Queensland show some improvement but still struggle with disparities between urban and rural access.
Western Australia faces challenges due to its vast size and low population density, while Tasmania ranks worst, with over half of its families living in childcare deserts.
Efforts to address these issues include increasing the number of childcare places, but disparities persist, affecting families differently based on their location.
Source 9news.com