The Child Care Subsidy
The Childcare Subsidy or (CCS) is an Australian Government subsidy that offers financial assistance to eligible families to help cover the cost of childcare.
Who can get the Child Care Subsidy
Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is paid directly to the service provider rather than the family to reduce the amount of childcare fees that you pay. To be eligible for CCS you must:
- Care for a child under the age of 13 years who is not attending secondary school, unless an exception applies
- Use and approved childcare service
- Be responsible for payment of the childcare fees
- Meet residency and immunisation requirements
How much can you claim
The number of CCS is calculated using the following components:
- Your combined family income
- Your level of activity such as work, education or volunteering
- Your childcare provider’s hourly rate
- You may be eligible for a higher subsidy if you have more than one child in childcare
Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander children may be able to access CSS without the activity test. Please visit the Services Australia website to find further information.
Additional financial support
Depending on your circumstances, there may be extra government assistance available to eligible families over and above the Child Care Subsidy. If your income has been impacted or reduced by a significant life event, please talk to our service Director or visit the Service Australia website for more information on the support that may be available. Please be assured that we are here to help you to ensure your child’s access to learning is not interrupted.
How to apply for Child Care Subsidy
To apply for Child Care Subsidy, you can apply online via your Services Australia or MyGov account. Services Australia have an eligibility tool to guide you through the application process and more information relating to eligibility and applying can also be found on the Services Australia website: