Applications are open for grants from the Child Care Accessibility Fund, which rewards innovative strategies in addressing child care shortages.

The Government says the grants have been created to address issues with access to child care and long waiting lists for parents. Funding of up to $250,000 dollars is available for local governments to increase the supply of child care in areas of high demand, in an effort to identify the best practices in state, territory and local government child care planning.

There will be about twelve grants awarded from a total fund of $4.8 million; they are to be awarded on a competitive basis, compared against each other and a series of guidelines.

Applications for Local Governments to get help addressing child care needs are available online, they can be lodged until August 5.