MAY 30, 2018: If you haven't already done so, it's time to make the switch to the Liberal National Government’s new child care and early learning system. Families must make the switch or risk missing out on the new subsidies.New data shows that with just weeks to go until the new system starts on 2 July, about 48 per cent of families in my electorate have already made the switch.There are about 8000 families in Mackay, the Whitsundays, Bowen, the Burdekin and South Townsville who need to make the switch or they could miss out on receiving the new child care subsidy.Most families will be hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year better off under our reforms but they need to make the switch to the new system.I urge local families and child care and early learning providers yet to update their details to visit www.education.gov.au/childcare as soon as they can.Even if your circumstances are likely to change before 2 July, just get online and get into the new system. Updates can be made easily at any point via your Centrelink online account via myGov.If you’re a family who can’t remember your MyGov log-in or you need a little assistance, you can phone the helpdesk on 136 150. There’s lots of staff on the help desk and call-wait times are very short at the moment.Examples of how families are set to benefit:

• A family on $50,000 – both parent/s working, with two children aged under 6 in long day care two days a week at $100 a day will be around $2,000 better off a year
• A family on $80,000 – both parent/s working, with two children aged under 6 in long day care three days a week at $100 a day will be over $3,000 better off a year
• A family on $150,000 – both parent/s working, with two children aged 6 and under in long day care three days a week at $100 a day will be more than $1000 better off a year