Government searching for more nannies

The federal government is on the hunt for nannies.

A growing number of families is waiting to trial a new nanny childcare program but there's a shortage of workers.

About 187 nannies are caring for 473 kids under a nanny pilot program which gives families a subsidy of between $5-$8.50 an hour per child.

But the education department wants more carers for the program set to run until June 2018.

It has even searched for some in training colleges and nanny organisations.

"There is quite a demand for nannies - our issue is to find the nannies to support the demand," a department official told a Senate hearing on Tuesday.

Earlier this year, about 2900 families registered their interest in the trial but government officials said it had taken a long time to match families with nannies because of differing needs.