Parents and Carers Reference Group
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About the Parents and Carers Reference Group
About the Parents and Carers Reference Group
The Early Years Strategy 2024–2034 (the Strategy) explains how the Australian Government aims to support children and their families in a child’s early years. To support the Strategy, the government is establishing a new Parents and Carers Reference Group (PCRG), which will:
- provide parents and caregivers with an opportunity to have a say on what the government is doing to support our youngest children
- allow the government to hear directly from parents and caregivers on what matters to them.
Establishing the PCRG is a direct response to Priority Focus Area 1 of the Strategy: Value the Early Years - Embed the voices of children and their families.
The PCRG will be established in 2024 and operate until 30 June 2029.
Role of Members
Members will share their experience and knowledge on the needs of children aged 0-12. They will also share their thoughts on how the government can better help children and their families. The government will use this information to inform future initiatives and improve how it supports children and their families.
The PCRG will meet at least 3 times per year and hold additional meetings as needed. They may also be asked to review materials, provide feedback or participate in engagement activities between meetings.
Membership
The PCRG will have around 20 members from across Australia. The majority of members will be parents and caregivers with different backgrounds and with different life experience. This includes:
- people living in regional, rural and remote Australia
- people from different cultural backgrounds
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- sole parents
- foster/kinship parents,
- as well as people with lived experience of disability.
There will also be members from peak bodies in child wellbeing and development.
The Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP, is responsible for appointing all members of the PCRG, including a Chair.
Members will be part of the group for up to 2 years. We want to listen to many different perspectives, so membership will change over the 5 years to make sure we hear from a wide range of people.
Parents and caregivers who are appointed will be paid for their time preparing for and attending meetings. This includes any travel expenses to attend meetings face-to-face. Members who work in the early years sector, including peaks and sector experts, will not be paid for their time.
For more information
To apply for the PCRG, complete the online EOI at engage.dss.gov.au/PCRG.
Please visit our website at dss.gov.au/PCRG
If you have questions about the PCRG or expression of interest process, contact PCRG@dss.gov.au.
Application process
Applications to join the PCRG will open on 13 August 2024 and will close on midday (12:00pm) 5 September 2024. Late applications will not be considered.
To apply for the PCRG, complete the online EOI at engage.dss.gov.au/PCRG.
After submitting the form, you will receive an email notification confirming receipt of your application. If you do not receive a notification, please contact PCRG@dss.gov.au.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their EOI. The EOI of parents and caregivers who are not selected for membership in this process will be kept on file for future consideration.
If you need assistance with completing the EOI, or require the information in another format, please contact PCRG@dss.gov.au.
Note: In applying for the EOI, you will be providing the department with your personal information, which may include sensitive information. Your personal information is protected by law, including under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and will only be used to assist with filling membership positions on the PCRG. More information can be found in the Privacy Collection Notice.
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