Care you can trust, costs you can manage
We provide a warm, nurturing environment filled with natural light and calming spaces, and we want the financial side to feel just as easy. Here's everything Airlie Beach families need to know about the Child Care Subsidy, Free Kindy, and the new 3-Day Guarantee.
What is Child Care Subsidy?
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a federal government payment designed to help reduce child care fees for eligible families. It's means-tested, based on your family's income, circumstances and activity levels, and to qualify you'll need to be an Australian citizen or hold an eligible visa.
Once approved, the government pays the subsidy directly to Arden, and your family is billed for the remaining gap payment.
Subsidy Percentage
The share of your child care costs covered by Services Australia, up to 85% for eligible families.
Approved Hours
The total subsidised care hours allocated per fortnight, for example up to 100 hours, depending on your circumstances.
Child Care Subsidy Calculator
Answer a few quick questions to get an estimate of your CCS entitlement and plan your child care costs with confidence.
Setting up your subsidy, step by step
Set up your myGov & CRN
Link Centrelink to myGov and get a Customer Reference Number (CRN) for yourself and your child.
Submit your CCS claim
Complete your Child Care Subsidy claim through Centrelink, including your family's income estimate.
Sign your enrolment with Arden
We'll complete your Complying Written Arrangement (CWA), a requirement before subsidy can be paid.
Confirm immunisation status
Your child needs to meet immunisation requirements (or an approved exemption) for CCS to apply.
The 3-Day Guarantee
The 3-Day Guarantee is transforming early childhood education access for Australian families. It replaces the old Activity Test with a universal guarantee: eligible families now receive at least 72 hours of subsidised early learning per fortnight, with no need to prove work or study participation.
The reform is expected to benefit roughly 66,700 families in its first full year, with over 100,000 families eligible for extra subsidised hours. Families with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children receive 100 hours per fortnight. For many low-to-middle income families the savings are significant. A family on a combined $90,000 income could save up to $11,400 a year.
What is Free Kindy?
Queensland's Free Kindy program offers eligible children 15 hours a week of quality early education in the year before Prep, delivered by qualified teachers, helping build key skills in literacy, numeracy and socialisation. To qualify, children must turn four by 30 June of the attending year. The program is free, though additional care outside the 15 hours may incur costs, which CCS can help offset.
At Arden, we deliver a Government-Approved Kindergarten Program, led by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher.
Frequently asked questions
Does my child need to be immunised to receive CCS?
Yes. Under the immunisation requirements, your child generally needs to be up to date with their vaccinations (or hold an approved medical exemption) for your family to remain eligible for the subsidy.
What's a "gap payment"?
It's the difference between our daily fee and the amount CCS covers. The government pays your subsidy directly to Arden, and you're billed for the gap.
Does the 3-Day Guarantee replace CCS?
No. It works alongside CCS, guaranteeing a minimum of 72 subsidised hours per fortnight regardless of your activity level, on top of the existing subsidy system.
What if my income or circumstances change?
Update your details with Centrelink as soon as they change. Your subsidy percentage is reconciled against your actual income at tax time, so keeping it current avoids surprise repayments.
Can I use CCS for the Holiday Program too?
In most cases, yes. CCS can apply to approved care during school holidays, and our team can confirm exactly how it applies to your family's enrolment.
Official resources & links
Still have questions?
Understanding CCS and Free Kindy can feel overwhelming, but you're not alone. Our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
