CCS: Child Care Subsidy

The Child Care Subsidy is a financial assistance to reduce your out-of-pocket costs for child care. Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to receive up to 90% of your child care fees covered by the subsidy.

How much you receive depends on a number of factors, including your family’s income, the age and number of children, the paid and unpaid activities, like your job or volunteer work, your family is involved in.

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.

Rather than families receiving a child care rebate directly, the CSS is paid directly to providers to reduce the child care fees you pay.

To get the CCS you must:

  • Care for a child 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 immunisation requirements

How much can I claim?

Your CCS is calculated using three components:

  • Your combined family income
  • Your level of activity, such as work, education, or volunteering.
  • Your childcare provider’s hourly rate
  • You may also be able to get a higher subsidy if you have more than one child in care.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children may be able to access CCS without the activity test.

The best way to learn more about subsidised child care is to visit the centre and speak to a member of our team.