Non-mainstream Services

Non-mainstream Child Care Services provide access to child care in communities where mainstream or conventional child care services are not available or viable, and where there is a need for culturally competent services, in particular Indigenous focused child care.

The majority of Non-mainstream Services receive Australian Government funding through  Budget Based Funding under the Child Care Services Support Program.

Budget Based Funded services

Budget Based Funding ensures access to a range of different types of early childhood services based on the needs of the communities in which they operate. While the majority of Budget Based Funded services have an Indigenous focus, all children in the relevant community are welcome to attend.

In the 2010-11 Budget the Australian Government allocated $59.4 million over 4 years (‘the Budget Based Funded Quality Measure’) to improve the quality of centre-based long day care Budget Based Funded services.  The funding is targeted towards:

• improving the quality of the buildings from which BBF services operate;
• improving the qualifications of staff working in BBF services; and
• supporting services to strengthen their governance and administrative capacity.

A Fact Sheet which provides general information on the Budget Based Funded Quality Measure is available below.

Non-formula Funded services

The Non-formula Funded Program provides funding to enable communities to have access to flexible child care where it would otherwise be unavailable. Non-formula Funded services are not approved to administer Child Care Benefit on behalf of families. 

More information:

• Child Care Service Handbook
• Non-Mainstream Guidelines 2010-2011 ( PDF 771KB | RTF 880KB)
• Fact Sheet – Budget Based Funded Quality Measure ( PDF 324KB | RTF 114KB)
• Non-formula Funded Program Guidelines 2010-11 ( PDF 353KB | RTF 966KB)
• By calling 1300 363 079 and requesting the DEEWR child care team in your state or territory.