Studying at university while raising a family is a significant commitment, and finding the right support can make all the difference. Our childcare pages help you explore services on or near campus, as well as access a range of family support options while you study.
If you’re arriving from overseas with your family, there's an additional International students section about childcare and schooling in Australia.
You can find and compare childcare providers on the StartingBlocks government website. Search the database using suburb or postcode, and filter results by distance, service type, days and more.
You can also search national registers to see whether providers are meeting National Quality Standards (NQS) on the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) website. ACECQA is the independent national authority that assists governments in administering the National Quality Framework (NQF) for children's education and care.
Out of school hours care (OOSH) services operate in more than 900 public schools in NSW. There are also another 930 offsite OOSH services operating in locations across NSW.
SUSF School Holiday Programs give children aged 5–15 the chance to play sport, build skills and make new friends in a safe and supportive environment. Single and multi-day programs are available, with the costs varying.
The Chau Chak Wing Museum runs school holiday activities and more.
The Office of Sport school holiday programs let kids have fun and make new friends while participating in a range of exciting activities such a canoeing, archery, fishing and bushwalking.
The Y NSW is a not-for-profit organisation that provides services to all ages, genders, races and religions. The Y NSW holds holiday camps, school holiday activities and vacation care at different Y NSW centres over Sydney.
PCYC school holiday programs include multi-sport madness, gymnastics, disco dance, the amazing race, clay crafts, and pickleball.
The city school holiday program is for young people aged 13 to 18 years, or those under 13 who are enrolled in high school. The program includes excursions, craft workshops and fun sports and recreation activities.
Vacation care programs cater to children attending primary school, in community centres around Sydney. In-centre activities and excursions include arts and crafts, games, music, dance, sport and fitness.
Vacation care programs are offered at many schools, by providers such as Camp Australia, Extend, YMCA or local councils. Contact your local school directly for information and availability.
If you meet eligibility criteria and there are sufficient funds available, you can apply and be awarded financial support to help in emergencies or financial difficulty. Financial support can be used for essential living and study expenses, including childcare arrangements during peak periods (e.g. during exams).
Depending on your circumstances, domestic students may qualify for Australian Government financial support. The Services Australia website explains the Child Care Subsidy as well as a range other payments and benefits such as the Family Tax Benefit and Parenting Payment.
Although international students typically aren't eligible for government assistance, there are some limited exceptions. If you’re unsure, check the specific guidelines for each type of financial assistance to find information about eligibility.
The USYD Student Parents Network can help you develop friendships with other students who have children. The group’s aim is to connect you with other parents studying at the University, share experiences, help each other and meet new friends. Join our Facebook group to share tips, experiences and learn about events for you and your family.
The Parents and Carers Network aims to support staff with parental and caring responsibilities. Many staff have parenting or caring roles such as birth parent, step parent, grandparent, or through adoption or fostering. Some currently care for an adult, or may be planning for this possibility in the future.
The network provides support including face to face and online events relevant to parents and carers. The network also provides a support group where members can offer each other informal peer support beyond the regular meetings and events.
Join the Parents and Carers Network mailing list to be notified of future events. For more information, email diversity.inclusion@sydney.edu.au.
