Direct childcare beats baby bonus to tackle falling births
Treasury warns deaths will outnumber births by 2066; advocates reject a $75,000 baby bonus, calling for government-funded childcare instead.
Treasury's intergenerational report showed more people will die than be born by 2066. MP Bob Katter suggested a $75,000 baby bonus to reverse the trend, a huge jump from the $3,000 offered more than two decades ago.
The Parenthood advocacy group says the bonus won't work. Raising one child costs about $17,800 a year; multiple children cost at least $36,500.
Since the original baby bonus began, family budgets have climbed 134 per cent while household income rose just 103 per cent. The gap is the real problem.
More than half of fathers don't take parental leave because their family can't afford the lost income. Experts say a one-off payment won't convince new parents to start having children.
Direct government funding of childcare, better educator wages, and flexible work options would do far more.
- $17,800
- Annual cost one child
- $36,500
- Annual cost multiple children
- $75,000
- Proposed baby bonus
- 134 per cent
- Budget increase since bonus began
Why it mattersWhether you're planning a family, a parent, or simply concerned about Australia's future workforce and tax base, the policy choice between handouts and services will shape your options and costs.
AustraliaThe Albanese government will face pressure to invest heavily in childcare centres and parental support, or risk Australia's population declining faster than predicted.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 d ago
