Australia: cost of raising two children up 134% in 20 years, childcare drives burden

New data from advocacy group The Parenthood shows the annual cost of raising two or more children in Australia has reached at least A$36,500, a 134% increase over two decades, outpacing household income growth of 102%. Childcare costs account for a third of the total, prompting calls for expanded paid parental leave. The figures are advocacy-derived and not yet independently verified, but they highlight a growing cost-of-living pressure point with potential policy implications.