Child Care Subsidy (CCS) in Australia: who qualifies and how much you get
What is the Child Care Subsidy?
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a federal government payment that reduces the cost of approved childcare for eligible families. CCS is paid directly to the childcare provider, reducing the fees you pay out-of-pocket.
You do not need to be an Australian citizen to receive CCS — you must be lawfully residing in Australia and your child must meet immunisation requirements under the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
Eligibility
To receive CCS:
- You or your partner must be an Australian citizen, PR, or hold an eligible visa (subclass 482, 485, and others may qualify).
- The child must be under 13 (different rules apply for children in foster care).
- The child must meet immunisation requirements.
- Childcare must be with an approved provider.
- You or your partner must be active (working, studying, volunteering, job-seeking) for at least some hours per week.
Three factors that determine your CCS rate
1. Family income
| Annual family income (2024–25) | Maximum CCS rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $83,280 | 90% |
| $83,281 – $533,280 | Tapers down from 90% |
| Over $533,280 | 0% |
2. Activity hours Your activity level determines the maximum hours of subsidised care per fortnight:
- 0–7 hours/fortnight: 24 subsidised hours
- 8–16 hours: 36 hours
- 17–48 hours: 72 hours
- 49+ hours: 100 hours
Families earning up to $83,280 with at least 8 hours of activity per fortnight are not subject to an hours cap.
3. Type of childcare service
- Long Day Care: full-day childcare centres (most common).
- Family Day Care: care in the provider’s home.
- Outside School Hours Care (OSHC): before/after school care.
- In Home Care: care in your own home (special eligibility required).
Each service type has an hourly rate cap — CCS is calculated against the cap, not the actual fee charged.
How to apply
- Sign in to myGov → Centrelink → Child Care Subsidy.
- Provide your estimated family income and activity details.
- Name the approved childcare service you use.
- Centrelink assesses eligibility and notifies you of the approved rate.
- The provider receives CCS directly and reduces your fees accordingly.
Annual reconciliation
CCS is calculated on your estimated annual income. At the end of the financial year (30 June), Centrelink compares actual income against the estimate:
- Income lower than estimated → you receive additional CCS back.
- Income higher than estimated → you repay the excess CCS.
Update your estimated income promptly when circumstances change — particularly if you start or leave a job, or have additional income.
Multiple Child Supplement
Since 7 March 2022, a Multiple Child Supplement increases CCS to up to 95% for second and subsequent children under five in the same family, where family income is below $354,305/year.