Information About Your Child Care Subsidy And Rebate

Did you know that from 1 July 2018 the Australian Government introduced a new childcare subsidy?

The Australian Governments, Department of Human Services, may provide you with financial assistance through Centrelink towards the cost of your child’s care.

If you have not registered for the new child care subsidy or if you do not have a CRN you must contact the Department of Human Services/Centrelink on 13 61 50, or by visiting one of their offices.

To access this assistance, please ensure you complete the information correctly on your Enrolment Form.

We provide this information to the Department of Human Services. They will validate the information against their records to determine if you can receive a Child Care Subsidy (CCS).

Child Care Subsidy Gap Fee.

$18.00

From $18 / day child care subsidy gap fee.

Use our Subsidy Calculator to get an estimate of your rate after the Childcare Subsidy.

From July 2023 the Australian Government will be increasing its Child Care Subsidy (CCS) rates for families.

Some of the key changes that make this such positive news for Only About Children families include:

  • Lifting the maximum CCS rate to 90% for families earning $80,000 or less
  • Increasing CCS rates for around 96% of families with a child in care earning under $530,000.
  • Investing $33.7 million to increase subsidised ECEC to a minimum of 36 hours per fortnight for families with First Nations children.
  • These changes are in addition to the increased Higher Sibling Subsidy the government introduced in early 2022.

Preschool Funding: VIC Free Kinder Funding

Free Kinder is an initiative of the Victorian Government that will return in 2023 to ensure that every child has the greatest possible start in life. All Victorian children have free access to two years of high-quality kindergarten programmes. Throughout the school year, eligible students will receive $2,000 (2-day minimum booking per week).

NSW Start Strong Preschool Funding: Preschool fee relief

In 2023, the NSW Government will launch a new initiative as part of its Start Strong Programme to provide fee alleviation to preschool-attending families. If your child reaches 4 by July 31, 2023, or before, you are eligible for $2,100 in fee relief if he or she attends preschool at least two days per week.

CCS Rates & Savings
Family IncomeCurrent CCS%New CCS % from July 2023
$70,00085.0%90.0%
$80,00082.5%90.0%
$90,00079.2%88.0%
$100,00075.886.0%
$120,00069.2%82.0%
$140,00062.5%78.0%
$160,00055.8%74.0%
$180,00050.0%70.0%
$200,00050.0%66.0%
$220,00050.0%62.0%
$240,00050.0%58.0%
$260,00048.9%54.0%
$280,00042.3%50.0%
$300,00035.6%46.0%
$350,00020.0%36.0%
$400,0000.0%26.0%
$450,0000.0%16.0%
$500,0000.0%6.0%
$530,0000.0%0.0%

Download the fee guide.

Enter your email address to download the fee assistance guide.

    About the Child Care Subsidy and Your Child Care Fees and Rebate

    The Child Care Subsidy is a payment from the Department of Human Services/Centrelink. It provides financial assistance towards the cost of your child’s care and it reduces the cost of your total childcare fees.

    You may be eligible for the child care subsidy if you meet the requirements set out by Centrelink. This includes an activity and income test.

    Once approved, the government passes the child care subsidy directly onto your childcare service.

    Parents are responsible for notifying the Department of Human Services of any changes that may affect their assessment. This includes changes to your family income or changes to your activity.

    We’ve developed this estimator to give you an idea of how much Child Care Subsidy you could expect to receive from 2 July 2018.

    Click here to estimate your rate after the Childcare Subsidy