Child Care Subsidy
Childcare subsidies help families access affordable, quality early education
The Commonwealth Government Child Care Subsidy (CSS) makes accessing high-quality childcare easy and more affordable for families.
Knowing how to get the most out of the subsidy means maximizing the amount of time your child can spend in care, which supports vital learning and development. But understanding the system and accessing your entitlements shouldn’t feel like you need a degree in accounting.
What is Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?
The childcare subsidy is a financial assistance to cover the cost of child care. How much you receive depends on a number of factors, including your family’s income, the age of your child, and the paid and unpaid activities, like your job or volunteer work, your family is involved in.
Extra support is available for some families, such as grandparents and great grandparents, and families experiencing temporary financial hardship.
The CCS is paid directly to providers to reduce the fees you pay.
Who is Eligible for Child Care Subsidy?
To get the CCS you must:
- Care for a child of age 13 or younger who’s not attending secondary school, unless an exemption applies.
- Use an approved child care service.
- Be responsible for paying the child care fees.
- Meet residency and immunization requirements.
