Help for more than just young children
Despite its name, the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) doesn’t just help with the cost of child care. It also helps with the cost of approved before and after-school care, and school holiday programs.
What is the 3-Day Guarantee?
In January 2026 the Australian Government introduced the 3-Day Guarantee, making it easier for families to get the Child Care Subsidy.
Now families can get 72 hours of Child Care Subsidy per child each fortnight for children aged 0 to 12. You don’t need to be working or studying to get this. You do need to be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or humanitarian visa holder.
If you are working or studying, you may get more hours. You can also get up to 100 hours each fortnight if your children are First Nations or if you receive the Carer Payment.
Where you can use the Child Care Subsidy
You can use the Child Care Subsidy at approved Child Care Centres, Family Day Care, Outside School Hours Care and School Holiday Programs (generally programs that are being delivered at schools, not those being delivered by NDIS providers).
If your child’s school doesn’t have a school holiday program, your children can attend one at another local school. Programs cannot discriminate because of disability.
Extra support for children with disability
If you child needs extra support because of their disability the service can apply for the Inclusion Support Program which can help fund extra training or extra staffing.
In some circumstances you can apply for the CCS to help cover the costs of In Home Care, for example if your child has complex needs and no other approved care type is available or suitable for your family.
You can also apply for the CCS for young people aged 14 to 18 who cannot be left unsupervised because of their disability or medical needs. However, it is difficult to find providers who take young people aged 14 and above. It’s worth contacting your local council to ask if there are providers near you.
How much of your costs are covered?
The Child Care Subsidy reduces the cost to you.
Under the CCS the government pays part of the fees directly to the provider. How much the government pays depends on things like your taxable income, how many children you have, their ages and the type of care you use.
If your household earns less than $88,000 the Child Care Subsidy pays 90% of the costs. The subsidy reduces the more you earn. You need to pay the gap fee. For example: if a school holiday program costs $120 per day and you earn less than $88,000 then the Child Care Subsidy will cover 90% of the cost, and you will pay a gap fee of $12 per day.
Every service sets their own charges, so the gap fee will be different depending on where your child goes. But it can be a low-cost option, especially for the school holidays. And it can give your child with disability, or their siblings, a fun activity to enjoy.
Useful links
Child Care Subsidy – Services Australia
Early Childhood Education & Care – to search for CCS approved services
Child Care Subsidy Calculator | StartingBlocks.gov.au
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