Childcare costs for working parents may eat up more than 10 percent of their family's net income if reforms take place.

Prior to the election, the Labor Party proposed a national quality framework for childcare centres. The framework will go through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).

Improvements in child/staff ratios, and staff compensation and qualifications are expected with the proposed rules. However, it will cost parents $3 a day more.

On the contrary, Community Child Care Association (CCCA) estimates the proposed changes would bring about a $5 a day rise. Executive director Barbara Romeril said, “a $5 a day rise could be unaffordable for low-income families.”

Romeril claims that most centres are operating above minimum standards.

A recent Organization for Co-operation and Development (OECD) survey ranked Australian families as the 12th out of 32 countries that paid among the highest sums in the developed world for childcare.

Data shows Australians spent $65-$85 a day for community child care costs. Expenses range from $65 to $100 a day for private centres.

Paula Kruger, director of the Saint Kilda East Child Care Centre, sees an increase of about $10 a day.

Coalition leader Tony Abbott said he would put aside the proposed reforms because of the impact on operators and on parents.