Trial of subsidies for nannies

HOW WILL GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES FOR NANNIES WORK?

* $246 million, two-year trial running from January 2016 to December 2017

* Expected to subsidise 4000 nannies caring for about 10,000 children

* Families earning less than $250,000 a year can apply

* Priority given for rural and regional families and shift workers who can't access mainstream services

* Subsidy will be paid directly to the government-approved service employing the nanny

* Subsidy rate will be a benchmark amount, yet to be detailed, that tapers off with parental income

* Total subsidy paid won't be more than what nanny gets paid

* Nannies must be aged over 18, have working with children check and first aid qualifications

* Don't have to have minimum early childhood worker qualifications

* National Quality Framework won't apply

* Service providers for trial selected in open tender process and could include existing family day carers and childcare centres

* People offering informal care, such as grandparents, won't be eligible

* Restrictions to prevent child swapping and other rorts

(Source: Social Service Minister Scott Morrison)