Should you charge your kids? Divisive debate over paying grandparents

Wodonga council deputy mayor Libby Hall, 61, has regularly looked after her three grandkids to help her daughter with childcare costs, but wouldn't have it any other way.

New data reveals 42 per cent of Australians think grandparents should not be paid to babysit their grandchildren, with many saying it is a "family duty", while about 16 per cent argued older Australians should be compensated for their childcare labour.

Mrs Hall, however, considers it a privilege to be in a financial position where she is able to babysit her grandchildren weekly.

"I don't need to be paid, I would do it regardless," she said.

"To some people it would make a big difference and there always seems to be trouble getting childcare workers so maybe it could alleviate some of that."

The Department of Education reports that a child attends childcare for an average of 34.2 hours a week in Australia, costing the parents about $13.90 an hour.

Mrs Hall said part of the hundreds of dollars paid to childcare per week could go to grandparents instead to supplement their income or pension.

"I do think childcare has a real place because the kids do learn a lot socialising with other kids and doing activities," she said.

"But also I think it's so important for them to have a relationship with their grandparents as well."

Through looking after her grandchildren on a weekly basis, Mrs Hall has seen first-hand how special a grandparent to grandchild relationship is.

"As a grandmother I can be more flexible with the hours but I also get the opportunity to develop a close relationship with them because you become that nurturer for the time that you're with them," she said.

Mrs Hall said it may depend on the family's individual circumstances whether the grandparents are paid for their time.

"I am also of the belief that not everything we do in life we should be paid for either," she said.

Mrs Hall said she believes government support that recognises the contributions of grandparents would allow more people to help their children.

Having been a full-time working mother herself, Mrs Hall hired private help for the childcare of her daughter as there were limited options available in Wodonga and her own mother also worked full-time.

"I would have loved if my mother could have looked after my daughter but she also needed to work," she said.

"I remember saying to my daughter when you have kids I want to be there to help you when you go back to work because I know how difficult it is not having support."