Election 2016: Labor to announce further childcare funding to expand services in high-demand areas.

Federal Labor will today pledge $160 million to tackle child care and after-school care waiting lists, if elected.

The Opposition says thousands of Australian families are waiting for care, stopping parents from returning to work and hurting household budgets.

It would invest $100 million over three years to expand about 300 childcare services in areas of high demand.

Labor would also commit $63.2 million to establish or expand after-school care via grants worth up to $50,000.

“The struggle to secure a childcare place has been completely ignored by the Liberals,” Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said.

“Many parents face long and frustrating waiting lists to access early education and care services, with the current arrangements limiting work options for parents.”

Today’s announcement follows the party’s $3 billion childcare announcement on Sunday.

The ALP pledged to boost the Child Care Benefit payment by up to $31 per child, per week for 800,000 low- and middle-income families.

It also promised to lift the childcare rebate cap from $7,500 to $10,000 a year per child to help more than 100,000 families. This rebate is available regardless of income.

This post originally appeared on ABC News.