Families may be allowed access to a government rebate to employ qualified childcare workers in their home.

A 50 per cent rebate is available for family day care providers who look after children in the childcare worker’s home, but the same worker employed in the family home is considered a nanny and therefore not eligible.

Now Prime Minister Tony Abbott is reportedly considering extending that rebate to qualified carers in the family home to increase choice for parents and raise workforce participation.

“We are absolutely committed to getting productivity and participation up,” Mr Abbott told the Sunday Telegraph. “Better childcare, along with better paid parental leave, is a part of that.”

The Productivity Commission is assessing the options for child care in Australia, with an interim report recommending the rebate be extended to nannies.

Mr Abbott says he won’t rule anything in or out until the commission hands down its final report later this year.