What is the Child Care Subsidy?

How much CCS should I receive? 

Your CCS is calculated using three components: 

1. Your combined family income 
2. Your level of ‘activity’
3. Your childcare provider’s hourly rate 

It can be a little complicated … So, we made it easy for you to understand how much you might be eligible for with our simple

Child Care Subsidy Calculator

Let’s take a look at each of the factors used to calculate your CCS, and what they mean for you. 

Your Combined Family Income 

Your family’s combined income will help determine the CCS percentage you’re entitled to.  Remember, you will need to contact Centrelink
when your combined income increases or decreases – this can be done at any time through your Centrelink online account through myGov or the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app. 

*These amounts are correct for 2020-21 (from 13 July 2020) and may be adjusted according to CPI. 

Your Level of ‘Activity’ 

CCS is linked to how much a family contributes to the Australian economy through activity – both paid and unpaid. This activity level is calculated from the parent with the lowest number of hours of activity per fortnight. 

*These amounts are correct for 2022-23 (from 11 July 2022) and may be adjusted according to CPI 

What counts as an activity? 

• Paid work (including all-time between drop off at the Centre and pick up at Centre, commute time, lunch breaks etc) 
• All types of work across all jobs/employers 
• Authorised leave (e.g. maternity leave, long service leave, annual leave) 
• Unpaid leave of up to 6 months 
• Unpaid work in a family business 
• Time spent setting up a business that has not yet started to operate 
• Training and study (including additional study outside scheduled hours, holidays and non-class periods) 
• Work experience/internships (paid or unpaid) 
• Volunteering 
• Looking for work (including contacting employers, preparing resumes and letters of application, preparing for and attending job interviews etc) 

Exemptions to the Activity Test   

There are some exemptions to the activity test. To discuss your individual circumstances, please contact our Concierge Team on 1300 001 119. 

• Universal access: 4 -year-old preschool/kindergarten programs. If your child attends an early education program, such as preschool, you may be exempt. If you’re exempt, you’ll have access to 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. You’ll be exempt if all of the following apply: 
  • you’re entitled to less than 36 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight 
  • you have a child in an early educational program, such as preschool or kindergarten 
  • it’s the year before your child starts primary school 
  • it’s a centre-based day care service – this is long day care and occasional care.  
• Individuals on JobSeeker payments may qualify for 36 hours of activity per fortnight, plus any other recognised activity (e.g. volunteering, studying etc). 
• Individuals receiving Carer’s Allowance may qualify for 72 hours of activity per fortnight. 
• When you’re a Grandparent. You’ll be exempt if you or your partner are the principal carers of a grandchild or great-grandchild. The exemption will only apply to that child. This means you can get 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight for your grandchild or great-grandchild. 

You won’t be exempt for any other children you have in your care. The hours of subsidised care you can access for them will depend on your activity level. 

Your childcare provider’s hourly rate  

The third factor taken into consideration when calculating your CCS is the hourly rate charged by your childcare provider.  CCS is calculated according to whichever is the lowest: 

• The Centre’s actual hourly fee (which is the daily fee’ divided by hours of operation), or
• The Hourly Rate Cap of $12.20 per hour. 

To discuss your individual circumstances, please contact our Concierge Team on 1300 001 119. 

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