Interesting article regarding increasing childcare prices in Australia: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/06/22/rocketing-childcare-fees-sees-parents-lose-60-salary In my opinion, the explanation by principal researcher of rising prices is not all valid. I agree with lack of supply though. This is due to following reasons: Too much regulation and red-tape before a childcare facility can start operating. This is reasonable, because not everybody should be allowed to open a childcare facility. High wages that childcare centres have to pay to a high number of employees. It's not high salary that each childcare worker receives - in reality it's indeed opposite. There is a requirement that children per teacher ratio should be 4 or 5. Therefore many teachers are required. High rent. I accept the items 1 & 2, because it's is valid to keep the regulations high and keep proper basic childcare at a good level of compliance. However "high standards...