A TWEED childcare centre owner welcomed the Federal Government's strengthening of its Earn or Learn program.

Cabarita Beach Childcare Centre director Christina-Grace May said the program was “absolutely fantastic”.

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She said the program changed the demographic of the beachside community and more people were making the effort.

“Once about half of the mothers would drop their children at day care, then head to the beach,” Ms May said.

“Now I would say that number was less then 5%,” she said.

“This will get all those butts off the couch and out there.”

Ms May said there was also benefit for the childcare industry.

“This will be a boon for childcare,” she said.

“Contrary to popular belief, every child care centre has vacancies.”

The Earn or Learn program was launched in 2009 to get 15 to 20-year-old single mothers into the workforce or training.

On Tuesday night the Federal Government announced an extension of the program to include 21-year-olds.

It announced the extension to Earn or Learn early to support its argument the budget aimed to get those who could work into jobs.

Federal member for Richmond Justine Elliot said the budget was focused on creating opportunities.

“This is a reasonable budget that will get us back into the black by 2012-13, get more Australians in jobs and spread the benefits of the mining boom,” Ms Elliot said.

“This budget will drive opportunities for families and young people in Richmond by investing in training, education and job creation.”

The changes to Earn or Learn were part of a $3 billion training package announced in Tuesday night's Federal Budget.