Parents in Sydney and Melbourne have become fearful after out-of-pocket childcare costs could jump if the federal government adopts proposal to set a general benchmark figure . The Productivity Commission has proposed a figure of $ 7.20 per hour for children aged three to five . There is concern as if a chosen childcare costs most than $ 7.20 an hour , or $ 79 per day , parents are expected to cover the extra cost . Parents are worried after childcare out-of-pockets costs are set to skyrocket with a new benchmark figure . The benchmark figure is set to be $ 7.20 an hour with parents expected to cover the extra costs . Parental advocates 'The Parenthood ' believe that this could leave families worse off , depending on where they live and how expensive their local childcare is . The average price of childcare in Sydney CBD is $ 138 per day and in Melbourne CBD it is $ 107 . The childcare package will sees parents out-of-pocket after covering the excess as most childcare centres in Sydney and Melbourne cost more than the benchmark price . There were previously two basic forms of subsidised payments the Sydney Morning Herald Reported . The childcare benefit saw parents who were working or studying 15 hours a week with an annual income under $ 43,000 , have up to 100 hours of childcare covered . The average childcare price in Sydney CBD is $ 138 per day and in Melbourne CBD it is $ 107 . This scheme will take place of both the childcare rebate and the childcare benefit . The childcare rebate covered 50 percent of out-of-pocket expenses up to $ 7500 a year without means testing . The Productivity Commission wants to rolls both of these benefits into one that is paid straight to the childcare provider . This new scheme is reported to be means tested with most parents needing to work at least 24 hours a fortnight to qualify . The government is expected to release its childcare package in the coming weeks .
Parents in Sydney and Melbourne are worried after out-of-pocket childcare costs may skyrocket if new benchmark figure is adopted . Parenthood proposed $ 7.20 per hour as the benchmark . Parents will have to cover extra cost if childcare is over $ 79 a day . Average price for Sydney childcare is $ 138 per day and $ 107 in Melbourne .