Making the Most of
The Child Care Subsidy

The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) helps eligible families reduce out-of-pocket childcare expenses. This allows children to enjoy more quality early childhood education and care, giving them a strong start in life. 

How does the CCS work?

Your CCS rate is determined by several factors, including: 

• Your family’s income 
• Your child’s age 
• Recognised activities your family engages in, such as work or volunteer hours 
• The hourly rate charged by your childcare provider

Child Care Subsidy for 2025-26

The government announced changes to the Child Care Subsidy which came into effect in July 2025. These included increased income thresholds meaning more families are able to access CCS and changes to the hourly rate cap which can further reduce out of pocket fees.

For the 2025-26 financial year: 

• Families earning up to $535,279 may qualify for CCS. 
• Families earning below $85,279 receive a 90% subsidy, significantly lowering the cost of care. 
• Families earning under $367,563 with more than one child could get a higher subsidy—up to 95% for younger children. 
• The hourly cap has increased to $14.63 helping to reduce your out of pocket fees
• Additional preschool and kindergarten subsidies are available for children aged 3-5 years attending a government-approved program. Find out more by clicking here.

Tips to maximise your Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

1. Update your family income

It’s important to ensure that the income you report to Services Australia is current. Updating your estimated income when your situation changes helps to calculate your correct subsidy rate and avoids missing out on additional savings. 

The subsidy accounts for the lowest activity amount between partners. Combine hours from multiple activities to increase eligible hours. By keeping your details updated and understanding eligible activities, you can make the most of your CCS benefits

3. Extra Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children 

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children are entitled to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. 

Additional Childcare Subsidy is Available for Families

Depending on your circumstances, there may be government assistance your family is entitled to, over and above the Child Care Subsidy.

If your income has been reduced or impacted by a significant event in your life, we encourage you to read on and find out what assistance you may be eligible for. You can also call our concierge team on 13 82 30 to discuss your individual situation, visit Services Australia, My Gov or head into your local Centrelink office.

Extra supports is available for:

• Families experiencing temporary financial hardship
• Parents transitioning back to work
• Grandparent carers on income support

Support for Families facing Temporary Financial Hardship

The Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) Temporary Financial Hardship payment, in some instances will cover the full fees charged by your child care centre.

It is designed to support families experiencing significant financial stress due to exceptional circumstances including job loss, caring for an ill loved one, or having recently lost a family member.

If eligible, the additional support means there’s no need to interrupt your child’s learning, and that we can continue to support your family with the care you’re used to, when you need it most.

This additional support is there to help families through difficult times – and to give you one less thing to worry about. To discuss your individual circumstances, speak to your Centre Manager, head to the My Gov website or contact our Concierge Team on 13 82 30.

Financial Support for Families Returning to Work

This additional payment is for those families who are training, re-skilling, looking for work or returning to work. The subsidy will pay up to 95% of your childcare fees to help you get back to work. The support can last for different amounts of time from 26 weeks and longer for when you are studying or training.

If you think you may be eligible for this support, speak to your Centre Manager or contact our Concierge Team on 13 82 30.

Financial Support for Grandparents

This support is for grandparents on income support who are caring for a grandchild at least 65% of the time. Similar to the Temporary Financial Hardship Subsidy, this subsidy provides up to 100 hours of care a fortnight and is not subject to an activity test.

If you think you may be eligible for this support, speak to your Centre Manager or contact our Concierge Team on 13 82 30.

How do I Apply for Additional Financial Support?

You can apply online on the Services Australian website, via myGov, or in-person by visiting your local Centrelink office.

We recommend you prepare for your application with the following information to ensure the process is as fast and efficient as possible:

• The event or incident that has led to financial hardship, e.g. lost a job, reduced income, family illness etc.
• The date this event occurred
• How this has affected your family’s ability to pay your childcare fees
• In the case of the Transition to Work Subsidy, you will need to have a plan for what you want to do and when you plan to start.

Our team is dedicated to delivering the best outcomes for our children and families – and this means more than just delivering great education and care.

How to get started

• Once you’ve chosen your preferred Guardian childcare centre, apply for the Child Care Subsidy through Services Australia. 
• Use the Child Care Subsidy Calculator to predict your out-of-pocket costs. 
• Finalise your eligibility to lower childcare fees and make quality education and care more affordable for your family. 

CCS Made Simple

We know that understanding your CCS entitlements may sometimes be confusing. Read our CCS Go to Guide for Families, visit your nearest Guardian Centre, or contact our friendly team to learn more about the subsidy and how we can support your family.