The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) helps make quality early learning more affordable for eligible families. 

Understanding childcare costs and available support can feel complicated, which is why we're here to help you navigate the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and make informed decisions for your family with confidence.

Discover how much support you could receive and estimate your out-of-pocket childcare costs with our easy-to-use Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Estimator.

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What is the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?

CCS is a payment from the Federal Government that provides financial assistance towards the cost of your child’s care and reduces the cost of your total childcare fees. The amount of CCS you are eligible for will depend on your family’s circumstances. It is available to you if you are a parent, foster parent or grandparent with a child in your care who is attending a childcare program approved by the Government – like Goodstart’s government approved program.

How does CCS work?

Once your family is approved for CCS, the subsidy is paid directly to your child’s early learning centre.

In practice, this means the Government contributes towards your childcare fees and your family pays the remaining gap fee.

Your subsidy percentage is based primarily on your family’s combined annual income. Services Australia will also calculate your recognised activity (e.g. work, study and volunteering hours) and notify you of the number of hours you are eligible for subsidised fees.

Am I eligible for CCS?

The amount of CCS you are eligible to will depends on a few factors:

• How much recognised activity you and your partner undertake each fortnight, e.g. work, study and volunteering. The eligible amount is based on the lesser activity figure for a member of a couple.
• Your combined family income.
• The childcare fees you pay (hourly rate caps apply for each service type).
• The number and age of children you have in government approved care.
• If you meet Australian residency requirements.
• If your child meets current immunisation requirements.

Did you know if you have more than one child aged 5 or under, you may be eligible for a higher subsidy rate for your second and subsequent children?

How do I apply for CCS?

Create a myGov Account

• Go to myGov and select Create an account.
• Link your Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) to your myGov account

Submit a CCS Claim

• Sign in to your myGov account linked to Centrelink.
• Navigate to My family > Child Care Subsidy summary.
• Provide details about your child, your income estimate, and your childcare arrangements.

Confirm Enrolment

• Ask your childcare provider to submit your child’s enrolment.
• Check and confirm the enrolment details through your Centrelink online account

What is Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS)?

The Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) provides extra help with fees to families facing barriers to childcare, including families experiencing temporary financial hardship and families caring for a child who is vulnerable or at risk. ACCS will usually cover all of a child’s childcare fees.  

Read more about eligibility and requirements for ACCS on the Services Australia website.

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