Labor is pledging a ‘nation-defining journey’ on childcare. What would it mean for you?

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, at Morningside Panthers AFL Club in Brisbane. He said Labor would introduce the childcare subsidy for three days a week to all families earning up to $530,000 a year from January 2026. Photograph: Russell Freeman/AAP

Anthony Albanese is committing big on early childhood care and education in one of his final major announcements of the calendar year.

The 2025 federal election’s battle lines are being drawn as Australia readies itself for another trip to the polls in the next six months.