Government task force finds $300m in dodgy childcare payments

Hundreds of millions of dollars of suspected childcare rorts have been uncovered as part of a federal government crackdown.

More than $300 million in dodgy payments to childcare services has been discovered by a new compliance program.

Family day care centres made up most of the bogus claims, which ranged from overcharging for certain services, claims for sessions of care that weren't delivered, or parents "child-swapping" to obtain maximum subsidies.

Assistant Education Minister Sussan Ley said it was unacceptable that dodgy services were ripping off families and taxpayers.

"I am horrified by the extent of this blatant disregard for the law," she said in a statement.

It's understood some money has been recovered but a spokesman for the minister could not specify how much.