how to get off the childcare waitlist faster: practical tips
last updated: february 2026
william samuels is a stay-at-home dad and former teacher from Adelaide. he writes about school readiness, early learning, and navigating the childcare system for mini mode.
childcare waitlists in Australia are brutal. in parts of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, parents are waiting 12 to 18 months for a spot. even in smaller cities, popular centres can be full a year out. the three day childcare guarantee has increased demand further, with more families now accessing subsidised care.
i've been through this twice — once in inner Adelaide and once when we moved suburbs. here's what actually works to improve your chances.
register early — really early
the single most effective thing you can do is register early. most centres accept waitlist applications from birth, and some allow you to register during pregnancy. if you know which area you'll be living in, there's no reason not to get on lists as soon as you have a due date.
waitlist priority is usually based on registration date, siblings already attending, and the number of days requested. some centres also give priority to families living in the local area.
if you're planning to return to work after parental leave, register for childcare at the same time you start thinking about your Paid Parental Leave arrangements. twelve months of parental leave goes fast.
how many centres to list
aim for at least 5 to 8 centres within your acceptable travel radius. in highly competitive areas (inner city, popular suburbs), some parents register at 10 or more.
waitlist fees vary. most centres charge between $20 and $50 to join the waitlist. some are free, and a few refund the fee if you don't get offered a spot. budget around $150 to $300 total for a decent spread of registrations.
don't just list the nearest centres — include family day care services too. family day care often has shorter waitlists because parents default to searching for centres first. a good family day care educator can be every bit as good as a top-rated centre.
check our childcare directory to find approved services near you.
be flexible on days
Monday and Friday are the hardest days to get. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday tend to have more availability because they're the days most families book when doing three days per week.
if a centre offers you two days when you wanted three, take them. you can often add a third day once you're enrolled — it's much easier to add days as an existing family than to get your foot in the door from the waitlist.
similarly, if your preferred centre offers you a spot in a different age room than expected (say, the toddler room instead of the baby room), ask how transitions work. some centres move children between rooms as spots open up.
follow up regularly
don't register and forget. contact each centre every 2 to 3 months to confirm you're still interested and ask where you sit on the list. some centres remove inactive families from their waitlists after a period of no contact.
a polite phone call or email works — you don't need to visit each time. just confirm your details, your preferred start date, and the days you need. if your circumstances change (different days, earlier start date), update them straight away.
january and july are the two biggest intake periods. centres reassess their waitlists before these dates, so a follow-up call in november or may can be well-timed.
what to ask on centre tours
tours are your chance to assess the centre and make an impression. go prepared with specific questions:
- what's the current waitlist timeframe?— get a realistic estimate, not a vague "it depends"
- what are the fees, and what's included? — ask about meals, nappies, sunscreen, and excursion costs. daily fees ranging from $110 to $160 might not include all extras
- what's your NQS rating? — you can verify this on the ACECQA register, but their answer tells you whether they know and care about it
- do you exceed minimum ratios? — some centres staff above the mandated ratios, especially in baby rooms
- what's the late pickup fee? — this ranges from $1 to $5 per minute and adds up fast
- how do you handle illness? — ask about exclusion periods, medication administration, and their sick child policy
- can i see the daily routine? — a good centre will have a clear, posted schedule in each room
trust your gut when you walk through. watch how educators interact with the children. are they on the floor, engaged, making eye contact? or are they standing around chatting? that tells you more than any brochure.
OSHC vs long day care waitlists
outside school hours care (OSHC) waitlists are generally shorter than long day care. OSHC services are attached to specific schools and have a defined catchment, so demand is more predictable.
that said, before and after school care at popular schools can fill up — especially for before-school spots, which have lower capacity since fewer families need them. register for OSHC at the same time you enrol your child in the school.
vacation care (school holiday programs) often requires separate bookings and can sell out quickly for popular activity weeks. keep an eye on booking dates — most OSHC providers open vacation care bookings 4 to 6 weeks before each holiday period.
frequently asked questions
when should i put my child on a childcare waitlist?
as early as possible — ideally during pregnancy or at birth. in high-demand areas, waitlists run 12 to 18 months. the earlier you register, the better your chances.
how many centres should i register at?
aim for 5 to 8 centres. in competitive areas, go for 10+. waitlist fees are typically $20 to $50 each, so budget $150 to $300 total.
what days are easiest to get?
tuesday, wednesday, and thursday tend to have more availability. monday and friday are the most sought-after days and usually have the longest waits.
should i consider family day care to avoid the waitlist?
yes — family day care often has shorter waitlists than centre-based care. it's fully approved for CCS and regulated under the same National Quality Framework.
next steps
start registering now if you haven't already. cast a wide net, be flexible on days, and follow up regularly. and once you secure a spot, make sure you're set up for the Child Care Subsidy to keep your out-of-pocket costs down.