Cheaper child care for Indigenous families

The Albanese government will this week introduce the measure to boost the number of Indigenous children in child care by upping subsidised care from 24 hours a fortnight.

The government says only 4.3 per cent of children in early education identify as Indigenous despite First Nations children aged five and younger making up more than six per cent of the population.

The plan will come into effect from July next year, in line with the government's broader children subsidy reform.

It is expected to benefit around 6600 Indigenous families.

Just over $10 million will also be put towards an early childhood care and development policy between state and territory governments alongside Indigenous representatives.

Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney says getting First Nations children into early child care will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

"This is a practical measure directed to closing the gap in an area where we are going backwards," she said.

"It will make a difference to Indigenous children across the country."

Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly said the measure would not only ease the cost of living pressures on families but also provide benefits for the children during their formative years.

Australian Associated Press