Childcare Subsidy - Dispute over Childcare Fee with The Provider

little-ninja on 09/08/2018 - 12:06
Last edited 09/08/2018 - 12:12

Hi,
This dispute is over the fees I was charged by a childcare provider in ACT.

I was asked to provide my kids' Centrelink CRNs and the registering parent's CRN to the childcare provider for Childcare Subsidy (CCS). I did provide them with the details in April, the kids started their childcare in 20 Jun. On 18 Jul, I found that we have been charged full fees all along. The provider then admitted that they did not have any CRNs in their system. I provided them again and they said they would refund once CCS kicks in. The CCS never kicked in and they are still charging me full fee.

After many days I tried everything they suggested, and nothing helped solve the problem, they ask me to send the CCS confirmation letter from Centrelink on 8 August. They then found out that I provided the wrong registering parent's CRN. The kids' CCS sit under my Centrelink CRN, not my wife, and I provided my wife's CRNs as there was no information/explanation of the term "registering parent". I thought it could be any parent who registers with the childcare provider. The kids have their own CRNs and CCS should be applied based on just their CRNs.

The childcare provider is now saying that I still have to pay full fees until they resubmit the correct details and CCS kicks in, and NO REFUND will be provided. I think this is not fair because:

  1. they missed the CRNs of the kids in their system for the first 3 weeks of the term.
  2. they did not resubmit or proactively contact Centrelink on why they did not see CCS showing up in their system with the provided CRNs. If they were competent in what they do, contacting Centrelink, they should have resolved the issues swiftly.
  3. They did not explain clearly what registering parent means, in relation to CCS.

Where should I lodge my complaints about this issue? I am just hoping to get a refund for what I was over-charged for the last 2 months.

Thank you very much for any comments/suggestions

Education & Work Childcare Subsidy Fee Dispute

Comments

  • Cyphar on 09/08/2018 - 12:34

    Just to double check, does your wife work or study? If not, then you no longer qualify for the CCS

    • little-ninja on 09/08/2018 - 12:49

      She does, but the CCS was under my name.

  • tsunamisurfer on 09/08/2018 - 12:35
    +4

    They then found out that I provided the wrong registering parent's CRN.

    Firstly….You F'd up.

    they did not resubmit or proactively contact Centrelink on why they did not see CCS showing up in their system with the provided CRNs. If they were competent in what they do, contacting Centrelink, they should have resolved the issues swiftly.

    Are you sure it's their job to ensure you get government subsidies?

    I thought its their job to look after your child?

    If you gave Coles a credit card and it was rejected, do you expect the Check Out Chick to call the Commonwealth Bank Customer Service line to enquire why your card was maxed out?

    • little-ninja on 09/08/2018 - 13:13

      I guess you are right. I am just so worried about the big lump sum that I am now owing to them!

  • HighAndDry on 09/08/2018 - 12:43
    -2

    They then found out that I provided the wrong registering parent's CRN.

    Well seems like that's your fault.

    as there was no information/explanation of the term "registering parent".

    That's for you to know - they're not being paid to tutor you on how the rebates work.

    I think this is not fair because:

    1. Would this have made a difference since you gave the wrong registering parent CRN anyway?

    2. Not their problem - you want the rebate, the onus is on you to follow it up and make sure the details you provide are correct.

    3. Read above - not their job to educate you. You're an adult, start acting like one.

    I am just hoping to get a refund for what I was over-charged for the last 2 months.

    You weren't overcharged - you were charged the agreed rate, you just weren't given the benefit of the government rebate which you would've been entitled to, had you provided all the necessary details.

    This would really turn on (1) above - if you would've been able to get the rebate even with the wrong registered parent CRN, then you might have a case. If not though, then ultimately this was your fault and as a presumably responsible, self-sufficient and literate adult, you have no-one else to blame.

    Tentatively filing this under "I made a mistake but I don't want to bear the consequences, how do I blame someone else?"

  • tomsco on 09/08/2018 - 12:43

    If they don't play ball, once you do your end of financial year reconciliation with Centrelink, do you know if they will recognise that you paid the full fee when you were entitled to subsidy (or benefit/rebate for June) and then pay that amount to you?

    Might be worth looking into as an option.

    • little-ninja on 09/08/2018 - 13:14

      Thanks for the advice, will double check with Centrelink.

  • ShortyX on 09/08/2018 - 13:08
    +5

    We had a similar situation where the CCS wasn't being applied for a couple of weeks. Don't stress though as you'll simply get it refunded after you and your wife lodge your tax returns for FY19. Think of it as a mandatory savings plan. :)

  • kashirin on 21/08/2018 - 07:32

    I wouldn't be so benign to your childcare providers
    new childcare scheme designed so childcare paid directly to your provider by centerlink

    it's their duty to ensure all is correct.
    You don't need to know all the details it's their job
    especially as all setup is done in several minutes
    And it's not quite clear you can recoup those costs easily from centerlink

    If you have other childcare to choose I wouldn't hesitate to apply maximum pressure to them as it's clearly their fault

  • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2018 - 13:35

    OP - i'm afraid the issue is with you. It isn't up to the centre to chase centrelink or check details you've supplied.

    I had a situation which is similar to yours however I chased it up and resolve it myself. I applied for the CCS and provided the correct details to my centre i.e. my CRN and my childs CRN. The centre didn't update their records to the details I supplied - instead using my wifes CRN which didn't have the CCS loaded against it. The first invoice was wrong and I spent about five hours on the phone trying to find out what the problem was / chasing up the centre.

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