We know understanding CCS can feel overwhelming, so we've made it simple. Below you'll find everything you need to know about Child Care Subsidy, including a handy CCS calculator to estimate your costs.
If you have questions about our fees or the CCS process, please get in touch. Our friendly team can help calculate your potential savings and guide you through the process.
What is the Child Care Subsidy?
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a government payment that helps eligible families with the cost of child care by covering part of the daily fee.
CCS is paid directly to us (your child care provider), which we pass onto you as a reduction in your fees. This means there's less upfront costs for your family.
The amount of subsidy you receive will depend on your family's income, how much you work or study, the type of child care you choose, and the number of children you have.
Further information can be found on the Services Australia website.
Child Care Subsidy calculator
We recommend using the Australian government's Child Care Subsidy Calculator to estimate your child care costs.
It's an easy way to find out how much you might pay for early education and care, and should only take a few minutes.
To use the calculator, you'll need to know a few things:
- Your hours of recognised activity
- Your estimated annual income
- Your child's age
- The type of service your child will attend (For Y OSHC programs, select outside school hours care)
- The average number of days your child will attend care
Child Care Subsidy FAQs
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How does the Child Care Subsidy work?
The Federal Government provides CCS directly to providers (like the Y) who then pass the subsidy to families as a fee reduction. Families pay the child care provider the difference between the subsidy and the full fee. -
Who is eligible for Child Care Subsidy?
Your child must:
- Meet immunisation requirements as per the 'No Jab, No Play' policy
You or your partner must:
- Care for your child at least two nights a fortnight (or have 14% share of care)
- Be responsible for paying the child care fees
- Meet residency requirements
- Enrol with an approved child care provider, like the Y
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How much CCS will I receive?
The amount of subsidy you can receive depends on a few things:
- Your activity level: This is the amount of work you do per fortnight. It includes paid work, study and volunteering. The more hours of activity you do, the more subsidy you could be entitled to.
- Your combined family income: This is your (or you and your partner's) taxable income for the financial year. You'll need to provide this information to Services Australia when you apply for CCS and update them if your income changes.
- The type of service you use: The type of service you use, the hourly fee that your child care service charges, and the age of your child also determine the amount of CCS you can receive.
Because it can be hard to estimate your income perfectly, Centrelink withholds 5% of your subsidy each fortnight to reduce the chance of you being overpaid. At the end of the financial year, this is balanced out. If you were paid too little, you'll get it back. If you were overpaid, the withheld amount will help reduce what you owe.
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How do I apply for Child Care Subsidy?
- Sign in to your MyGov account and link it to Centrelink.
- Follow the steps to make a claim for the Child Care Subsidy.
- Make sure to provide all the required documents.
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Can I get additional support with the cost of child care?
Yes, some families who are eligible for CCS can also claim Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS).
To be eligible for ACCS, you must qualify for Child Care Subsidy and meet one of the following criteria:
- You're an eligible grandparent getting an income support payment
- You're transitioning from certain income support payments to work
- You're experiencing temporary financial hardship
- You're caring for a child who is vulnerable or at risk of abuse, harm or neglect
You can find out more about ACCS on the Services Australia website.