Families struggling to access childcare and who require more flexible arrangements can apply to participate in the Australian Government's new Nanny Pilot Program.

The two-year pilot will begin in 2016 and provide fee assistance to help eligible familes with the cost of using a nanny in their family home.

This is a great opportunity for parents, particularly those who live away from existing child care, or those who work shifts - like police officers, nurses, firefighters and other emergency workers, or those in the hospitality industry.

Families are eligible if they earn less than $250,000, both parents (or in the case of a sole parent family, the sole parent) work, train or study at least eight hours per fortnight, and at least on parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Families have until 5pm AEDT on 5 November 2015 to apply.

To find out whether you're eligible and to apply, go to www.dss.gov.au/nannypilot.