Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
The Australian Government's Child Care Subsidy helps families reduce the cost of quality childcare. At Little Roses, we're here to help you understand your entitlements and make childcare more affordable for your family.
What is the Child Care Subsidy?
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a government payment that helps eligible families with the cost of approved childcare. Instead of paying the full fee, the subsidy is paid directly to your childcare provider (like Little Roses), which reduces your out-of-pocket costs.
The amount of subsidy you receive depends on your family's income, the hours of recognised activity (such as work or study) and the type of childcare service you use.
3-Day Guaranteed Childcare
From January 2026, all Australian families are eligible for at least 3 days per week (72 hours per fortnight) of subsidised childcare with no activity test required.
This means that regardless of your work or study situation, your family can access up to 3 days of subsidised early learning each week. This is a significant change that makes quality early education more accessible for every family.
Families who meet the activity test requirements may be eligible for additional subsidised hours beyond the 3-day guarantee, up to a maximum of 100 hours per fortnight.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy, you generally need to meet the following criteria:
Your Child
- Under 13 years of age (or under 18 for children with a disability)
- Meets immunisation requirements
- Not attending secondary school
Your Family
- You or your partner are Australian residents
- Your child is attending an approved childcare service
- You're liable for the fees (the child is in your care at least 2 nights per fortnight, or 14% of the time)
Recognised Activities (for additional hours)
To receive more than the base 36 subsidised hours per fortnight, you and your partner need to be engaged in recognised activities such as:
How Much Can You Save?
The percentage of your childcare fees covered by the CCS depends on your combined family income. The lower your family income, the higher your subsidy percentage:
| Combined Family Income | Subsidy % |
|---|---|
| Up to $88,520 | 90% |
| $88,520 – $538,520 | 90% tapering to 0% Drops 1% for every $5,000 above $88,520 |
| $538,520 or more | 0% |
Rates shown apply to the 2026–27 financial year. Income thresholds are indexed at the start of each financial year.
More Than One Child Aged 5 or Under?
If you have more than one child aged 5 or under in care, you may receive a higher subsidy of up to 95% for your second and younger children. Your eldest eligible child receives the standard rate above. The higher rate depends on your combined family income and no longer applies once your family income reaches $370,727.
| Combined Family Income | Subsidy % (second and younger children) |
|---|---|
| Up to $146,437 | 95% |
| $146,437 – $191,437 | 95% tapering to 80% Drops 1% for every $3,000 of family income |
| $191,437 – $270,727 | 80% |
| $270,727 – $360,727 | 80% tapering to 50% Drops 1% for every $3,000 of family income |
| $360,727 – $370,727 | 50% |
| $370,727 or more | Standard rate only Higher rates no longer apply |
Use the Starting Blocks CCS Calculator to estimate your subsidy:
CCS CalculatorHow to Apply
Applying for the Child Care Subsidy is straightforward. Follow these steps:
Create a myGov Account
Visit my.gov.au and create an account if you don't already have one.
Link to Centrelink
Link your Centrelink account to your myGov account. If you don't have a Centrelink account, you can set one up through myGov.
Complete CCS Assessment
Log in to your Centrelink account through myGov and complete the Child Care Subsidy assessment. You'll need to provide details about your family's income and activity levels.
Provide Your CRN
Once approved, share your Centrelink Reference Number (CRN) and your child's CRN with Little Roses so we can confirm your enrolment and apply the subsidy to your fees.
Need Help With Your CCS Application?
Our friendly team is here to guide you through the Child Care Subsidy process. Book a tour and we'll help you understand your entitlements and get started.