The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a federal government payment designed to help reduce child care fees for eligible families. This financial assistance is means-tested and based on your family’s income, circumstances, and activity levels. To qualify for CCS, you must be an Australian citizen or hold an eligible visa.

Key Components of the Child Care Subsidy:

1. Subsidy Percentage – The percentage of child care costs covered by Services Australia (e.g., up to 85%).
2. Approved Hours Per Fortnight – The total number of subsidised care hours allocated (e.g., 100 hours per fortnight).

The actual CCS amount depends on your family’s entitlement and the child care centre’s fees. Once approved, the government pays the subsidy directly to the centre, and families are billed for the remaining gap payment.

Want to estimate your potential CCS benefits? Try our Child Care Subsidy Calculator to quickly determine your eligibility and better plan your child care costs.

Queensland’s free kindy program offers eligible children 15 hours per week of quality early education in the year before Prep. Delivered by qualified teachers in sessional kindergartens or long day care, it helps children develop key skills in literacy, numeracy, and socialization.

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, potentially offset by the Child Care Subsidy.

For details or to find a program near you, visit the Queensland Government’s Early Childhood website.