Australian female executives have pushed for the government to make childcare and nanny services tax deductable enabling women to be available for employment and those already at work could have more opportunities for promotion.

 

"Tax deductibility for childcare would send an important social and economic message of endorsement for working women," said Chief Executive Women (CEW) spokeswoman Belinda Hutchinson. The statement comes as a result of CEW studies which found childcare in Sydney costs a family with two children up to $50,000 per year.

 

The initiative is supported by Australian Council of Trade Unions President Ged Kearney who suggested means testing to ensure the deduction would benefit struggling and low income families.

 

In the U.K., studies by Save the Children and Daycare Trust found that low income families would have to cut their food expenses to afford childcare, with two thirds of families finding the cost of childcare equalling the same amount for their mortgage or rent repayments.