‘It’s done its job’: Dan Tehan flags end of free childcare under weight of increasing demand

Education minister claims scheme a success but says old system was effective as more parents set to return to work

Dan Tehan has suggested the days of free childcare are numbered, as a return to the old subsidy model will be needed to keep centres viable as Australians return to work.

The education minister told Radio National on Tuesday a new report on the free model showed it had done its job" during the Covid-19 pandemic but will need to change.