A new report has revealed the number of families using out of school hours care (OSHC) has increased by 1.3 per cent over the last year, with an additional 5,110 families accessing care.
The increased demand is placing pressure on services across Australia, according to the latest Department of Education Child Care Subsidy data report.
The previous year’s report found that in December of 2024, 546,790 children attended OSHC.
In December of 2025, 552,020 attended OSHC, which the report recognised as representing an upward trend.
Gymea Bay Care and Leisure Centre director Corinne Bochkareff said she was overwhelmed by increased enrolments.
“There has definitely been an increase in enrolments over the last few years, this seems to be due to a number of families needing to return to pre-pandemic work arrangements,” she said.
“Even just fielding enquiries can sometimes be overwhelming due to the volume.
“Gymea Bay Care and Leisure centre is currently in a position where we are waitlisting families every week.”
The report found OSHC services represented 33.5 per cent of all childcare services, a 0.4 per cent increase from the final quarter of 2024.
Sydney Policy Lab at the University of Sydney recently conducted a study in 2025 called ‘Beyond the Bell’ to explore how OSHC can help working parents.
Academic Director of the Lab Dr Kate Harrison Brennan told ABC News that the government must support services in order to meet rising care needs.
“We’re seeing a lack of coordination and a lack of understanding at a government level, both federal and state, of the significance of this,” Dr Harrison Brennan said.
“When there is really high quality, reliable before and after school care, parents are able to make different decisions about workforce participation.”
As more families turn to OSHC, the sector will need greater support to meet rising demand in the years ahead.
“We need increased financial support from the Government to ensure OSHC services are adequately resourced,” Ms Bochkareff said.
OSHC services are playing a growing role in supporting Australian families.
