Experts doubt NSW’s $500 after-school care vouchers will get parents back into offices

A child arrives at Annandale public school in Sydney. The NSW government has announced a $155m scheme for parents to access before- and after-school care. Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Experts have questioned whether a new $500 voucher scheme for New South Wales parents to access before- and after-school care will be enough to change behaviours altered by the pandemic.

The $155m scheme, announced by the NSW premier Dominic Perrottet on Monday, will cover the gap fee for care services, covering about 60 sessions per primary student.