Govt gets answers on child care

Answers to fixing child care affordability and availability are ready to hand to the government but it remains to be seen if they're politically palatable.

The Productivity Commission will lodge its final report on the issue on Friday, although it is unlikely to be released publicly for some time.

In its draft report, released in July, the commission suggested consolidating subsidies for child care fees into a single, means-tested payment.

This would effectively involve means testing the child care rebate for the first time.

The commission's draft report also recommended extending government subsidies to qualified nannies and other in-home care.

The government has until mid-March to table the report in parliament.