What is the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a federal government initiative that provides financial assistance to eligible families to help cover the cost of approved child care services.
CSS Eligibility Criteria
Family circumstances influence your CCS. The following criteria is taken into consideration when processing your request:
-
Combined family income
If your household income is below $533,280 per annum you will be entitled to subsidy. -
Hours of recognised activity
The hours of activity you do (e.g. hours of work, study, looking for work, etc.) will determine how many hours of child care a fortnight Centrelink is willing to subsidise. If you have a partner, the lower activity level of the two will determine the hours of care you will access fully subsidised. -
Type of child care you need to access
For example centre based care, outside school hours care, family day care, etc. -
Additional assistance
There are also Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) options available for families facing specific circumstances, such as financial hardship, grandparent care, or children at risk.
Work Related Activity
Work Related Activity
Subsidised Childcare Hours
Less than 8 hours
0 hours
8 to 16 hours
36 hours
More than 16 to 48 hours
72 hours
More than 48 hours
100 hours
*The above figures are all computed on a per fortnight basis.
CCS Rates 2024-25
Family Income
Subsidy Rate
Up to $83,280
90%
$83,28 to $533,280
Decreasing from 90%
The percentage decreases by 1% for every $5,000 of income a family earns
$533,280 or more
0%
Application Process
For the most current and detailed information, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, it is recommended to visit the official Australian Government Child Care Subsidy website or contact Centrelink directly.
If you need more informationOnce you understand how the eligibility criteria affects your family, please check our step by step guide on what you need to do before enrolling your child in child care.
