Childcare group G8 to close 10pc of centres after child abuse scandal
Childcare provider G8 Education will close about 10 percent of its 395 centres across Australia following a child abuse scandal involving a former staff member. The closures affect 40 centres and will require thousands of parents to find alternative care, while staff may be redeployed. The company has faced declining occupancy rates, financial losses, and reputational damage since the 2025 allegations emerged. G8 has implemented CCTV and is working with authorities to improve child safety measures.
- ▪G8 Education is closing 40 of its 395 childcare centres, approximately 10 percent of its network, citing underperformance and fallout from a child abuse scandal.
- ▪In 2025, former G8 staff member Joshua Dale Brown was charged with over 70 sex offences against eight children under two at five G8 centres in Victoria.
- ▪The company reported a net loss of $303.3 million in 2025, a sharp reversal from a $67.7 million profit the previous year, due in part to goodwill impairment.
- ▪G8's occupancy rate dropped to 56.4 percent in April 2026, down 7 percentage points from the same period in 2025, amid broader sector challenges.
- ▪All G8 centres rolled out CCTV in July 2025 as part of enhanced child safety measures in response to abuse allegations.
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Childcare group G8 to close 10 per cent of centres after child abuse scandalTopic:Child Care24m ago24 minutes agoWed 29 Apr 2026 at 2:54amThousands of parents will be scrambling to find new childcare arrangements as one of the country's biggest operators shuts about 10 per cent of its centres. (ABC Newcastle: Ben Clifford/File photo)In short: Childcare group G8 will close about 10 per cent of its centres.The company was last year rocked by allegations of historical onsite child abuse by a former staff member at some of its centres in Victoria.What's next?Parents using the centres will need to move their children to another nearby facility, while staff will be redeployed "where possible".abc.net.au/news/chilcare-group-g8-to-close-10-per-cent-of-centres/106620512Link copiedShareShare…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).