5Preparation of independent reports

5 Preparation of independent reports

5 Preparation of independent reports

(1) The Minister must commission a person (the commissioned person) to undertake a review into the childcare sector market, including by reviewing—

(a) areas where the commissioned person considers—

(i) there are childcare supply shortages, or

(ii) there are higher barriers to parents or carers participating in work because of the affordability or accessibility, or both, of childcare, and

(b) the state of the childcare sector, including the following—

(i) workforce,

(ii) pay and conditions,

(iii) quality standards in the childcare sector.

(2) After undertaking the review, the commissioned person must—

(a) prepare a report setting out the findings of the review, including the matters set out in subsection (1)(a) and (b), and

(b) give the report to the Minister.

(3) The review and report must be—

(a) undertaken and prepared every 2 years or other period prescribed by the regulations, and

(b) tabled in each House of Parliament with the annual report tabled under section 22.

(4) The commissioned person must—

(a) be independent from the Board, and

(b) have the expertise prescribed by the regulations.

(5) Different commissioned persons may be commissioned for different years.

(6) The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of New South Wales may be a commissioned person but only with the consent of the Minister administering the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992.

(7) Regulations may be made about reviews and reports including the following—

(a) additional matters that must be considered or included,