The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a government payment that can help you with the costs of childcare. If you’re yet to apply for the Child Care Subsidy for your child and wondering how it could help, we’ve compiled a child care subsidy FAQ to answer the most common questions about the scheme, so you can submit your application confidently.
The Child Care Subsidy has recently undergone a number of updates to better support families:
In Australia, the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a type of government assistance designed to help families with the cost of childcare. The exact amount you will receive depends on your Child Care Subsidy eligibility and family/ financial circumstances, specifically:
Child Care Subsidy eligibility is determined by meeting all of the following four requirements, according to Services Australia:
The subsidy rate calculation is based on a sliding scale, where the percentage of child care costs covered by the government decreases as family income increases.
Combined Family Income | Subsidy per cent |
Up to $80,000 | 90% |
$80,000 to below $530,000 | Decreases from 90% The percentage will decrease by 1% for every $5,000 of family income |
$530,000 or above | 0% |
It’s a good idea to apply as soon as you know you’ll be needing child care for your little one. The process can take a number of weeks, so the earlier the better. If your Child Care Subsidy is not already in place when your child begins care, you will need to pay full fees until the subsidy is active. You can apply for the Child Care Subsidy before you’ve officially chosen your childcare provider or enrolled your child.
Applying for the Child Care Subsidy is simple. To begin the application, you may first need to collect certain documentation including identification documentation, payslips and medical records.
Once you’ve got your paperwork ready, here’s how to claim your child care rebate:
There are a few situations where you’ll need to update your Child Care Subsidy details in your MyGov account. This includes if:
As well as the Child Care Subsidy, Australian families may have access to other forms of financial assistance to help with the costs of raising children and child care. This includes:
Designed to extend access to quality early childhood education experiences, these programs enhance the affordability of early childhood education. While they operate alongside the federal Child Care Subsidy, these initiatives are distinct in their focus and funding sources as they are directly managed and financed by state governments. These initiatives include:
The ACCS is a top-up to the regular CCS for families in certain situations, providing extra support for those who need it. It includes various categories:
The Australian Government provides financial support for up to 18 weeks to eligible parents who are on leave from work to care for a newborn or recently adopted child.
Eligible working dads or partners can receive up to two weeks of government-funded pay when they take time off work to care for a newborn or recently adopted child.
Still have questions about the CCS or other funding methods? Our knowledgeable team is here to help! Reach out today for personalised support and give us a call on 1300 AURRUM (1300 287 786).
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