Child Care Subsidy Rebate
The child care subsidy (ccs) aims to make early learning more affordable.
Am I Eligible?
You may be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy if you meet a number of factors.
How Much CCS Will Depend On 4 Factors:
Your total combined family income.
The service type. This can be long day care, or outside school hours care (OSHC).
The number of children you have in care.
How much ‘work-related’ activity undertaken each fortnight by parents and carers.
Do You Have More Than One Child In Care?
Families with more than one child in care may be eligible for a higher subsidy if they:
earn less than $354,305
have more than one child aged 5 or under in child care.
The standard rate is usually the eldest child, while younger children may be eligible for a 30% higher subsidy, up to a maximum 95%.
Families for the higher rate will have the increase automatically included in their CCS percentage reported to Services Australia
For more information please visit the Services Australia Website.
Not sure what kinds of activity may make the cut for the Subsidy?
The types of approved activity include:
Paid work, including leave
Volunteering
Studying (approved course)
Self-employed work
Working for free (in family business)
Actively job seeking
Time taken to travel between the child care service and your place of work, training, study, or other approved activity is included.
Hours of Fortnightly Activity & Hours of Subsidised care:
Between 8 and 16 = 36 hours
Between 16 and 48 = 72 hours
More than 48 = 100 hours
Kindergarten Approved Care
Kindergarten aged children are entitled to 36 hours to attend a kindergarten program in an approved long day care service.
How To Apply?
You’ll be applying for CCS via your MyGov Account, which is linked to Centrelink. Do this as soon as you know when you might be sending your little one into care so that it’s all set up and ready to go for your child’s first day.
Don’t wait until you’ve found a centre that you’re happy with. The entire process may take between four and six weeks, and if it’s not set up when you begin care, you may be paying full fees until it’s all complete.
