Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Calculator
Estimate your Child Care Subsidy in seconds. Adjust your combined annual income, recognised participation hours, and care needs to see your estimated weekly and annual subsidy.
The simple version (read this first)
The Australian Government pays for most of your child care through the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). The amount depends on three things:
- How much your family earns each year. Starting from: $88,520 or less? You get the most — 90% off your fees. The more you earn, the less you get. At $538,520 it stops.
- How many days a week of care you need. Everyone gets 3 days a week of subsidised care, no questions asked. This is called the 3 Day Guarantee (started 5 January 2026). If both parents work or study more than 24 hours a week each, you can get up to 5 days.
- What your child care service charges per hour. The government has a maximum it pays per hour ($15.19 for long day care). If your centre charges more, you pay the extra.
Got 2 or more children aged 5 or under? Your eldest gets the standard subsidy; your second and younger children get a higher subsidy — up to 95% off. This is called the Higher Child Care Subsidy.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child? You automatically get the maximum 5 days a week of subsidised care, no matter how much work or study the parents do.
That's it. Use the calculator below to see your estimated weekly and yearly subsidy. The official government calculator is at startingblocks.gov.au.
Estimate Your Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
Live calculation using current Services Australia rates
Sonas family? Pick your centre to auto-fill the fee. Comparing other centres? Leave on “Other” and enter their hourly rate below.
In plain English: how much you and your partner earn together each year, before tax. (Single parent? Use your own income.)
On JobSeeker, paid parental leave, paid carer's allowance, or with an exemption from Services Australia? You may qualify for the full 100 hours/fortnight regardless — check with Services Australia for special pathways.
In plain English: how many hours of care you need per child each week. A full day of long day care is usually 11–11.5 hours. 5 full days ≈ 55 hours.
Australian Government hourly rate cap: $15.19/hr. In plain English: the government won't subsidise above this rate per hour.
Your estimated cost
per child after Child Care Subsidy.
Need more help? Ask Services Australia about Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS).
The Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) is a separate Australian Government program that can cover up to 100% of fees for families experiencing financial hardship, transitioning to work from income support, with a child at risk of harm, or going through a temporary financial event. ACCS is not estimated by this calculator. If your situation matches, contact Services Australia on 136 150 or visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/additional-child-care-subsidy — you may be entitled to substantially more support than this calculator shows.
Estimate only. This is not a determination of entitlement. Rates current for FY 2025–26 (indexed 7 July 2025; 3 Day Guarantee from 5 January 2026). For the official figure, use the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy calculator. Your actual Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is determined by Services Australia based on your reported income, recognised participation, residency and your child's immunisation. Apply through your myGov account at servicesaustralia.gov.au.
Apply via Services Australia
Lodge your Child Care Subsidy claim through myGov.
Apply nowAustralian Government Child Care Subsidy Calculator
Cross-check your estimate with the official Australian Government calculator at startingblocks.gov.au.
Open calculatorHow the Child Care Subsidy works
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is the main way the Australian Government helps families with the cost of approved child care. The subsidy is paid directly to your approved child care provider, which reduces what you pay out of pocket each week. The amount you receive depends on your combined annual income, your recognised participation, the type of child care service, and the hourly fee at your chosen centre.
What changed on 5 January 2026: the 3 Day Guarantee
From 5 January 2026, the Australian Government replaced the activity test with the 3 Day Guarantee. Every Child Care Subsidy eligible family now gets at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight (about 3 days a week), regardless of work or study hours. If you used to receive less under the old activity test, your entitlement automatically increased on 5 January 2026 — it never decreased.
Income tiers (FY 2026-27, from 6 July 2026)
- Up to $88,520 — you receive the maximum 90% subsidy
- $88,520 to $538,520 — subsidy tapers by 1 percentage point for every $5,000 of additional income
- $538,520 or more — no Child Care Subsidy payable
Subsidised hours: the 3 Day Guarantee
From 5 January 2026, all Child Care Subsidy eligible families receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight (about 3 days a week). Recognised participation (paid work, study, training, volunteering or looking for work) only matters for unlocking more than 72 hours:
- All eligible families — at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight (the 3 Day Guarantee)
- More than 48 hours of recognised participation per fortnight, or an exemption, or exceptional circumstances — up to 100 hours per fortnight
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children — automatic 100 hours per fortnight, regardless of recognised participation
Hourly rate caps (FY 2026-27)
The Australian Government subsidises up to a capped hourly rate. Fees above the cap are not subsidised:
- Centre Based Day Care (CBDC), under school age — $15.19/hr
- Outside School Hours Care (OSHC), school age — $13.30/hr
- Family Day Care (FDC) — $14.08/hr
Higher Child Care Subsidy for second and younger children
Families with 2 or more children aged 5 or under may receive the Higher Child Care Subsidy on their second and younger children. Your eldest child receives the standard Child Care Subsidy rate; your second and younger children aged 5 or under receive the Higher Child Care Subsidy rate. The Higher Child Care Subsidy income brackets (FY 2026-27) are:
- $0 to $146,437 — 95% (the maximum)
- $146,437 to $191,437 — tapers from 95% down to 80% (1 percentage point per $3,000 of additional income)
- $191,437 to $270,727 — 80%
- $270,727 to $360,727 — tapers from 80% down to 50% (1 percentage point per $3,000 of additional income)
- $360,727 to $370,727 — 50%
- $370,727 or more — no Higher Child Care Subsidy. Second and younger children receive the same standard rate as the eldest.
Single parents, exemptions and special pathways
If you are a single parent, the recognised participation hours for the activity test (now the 3 Day Guarantee) are based on your own work, study, volunteering or training — not a household total. Single parents are eligible for the same 3 Day Guarantee minimum and the same path to 100 hours per fortnight as two-parent families.
If you are on JobSeeker, parental leave, paid carer's allowance, or have an exemption from Services Australia (for example, exceptional circumstances, domestic violence pathway, grandparent carer), your recognised participation may be automatically met or you may have an exemption that unlocks 100 hours per fortnight. This calculator does not detect these pathways — call Services Australia on 136 150 to confirm what applies to you.
5% withholding (default)
By default, Services Australia withholds 5% of your Child Care Subsidy during the financial year to cover end-of-year reconciliation. Your child care service receives 95% of your estimated subsidy each week. When you file your tax return and Services Australia confirms your actual income, the withheld 5% is reconciled — you get any over-withheld amount back. You can change the withholding rate (including down to 0%) through your myGov account; the calculator above shows the gross subsidy and the net-of-5%-withholding amount your centre actually receives.
Annual figures and weeks of care
Most centres charge year-round (52 weeks). Your child's enrolment continues during your family holidays unless you withdraw, and Services Australia subsidises absences up to 42 days per child per year (more in some circumstances). The calculator above defaults to 52 weeks because the Child Care Subsidy pays year-round, including those absence days — but you can pick a lower number if your centre or family situation differs.
Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) — for families who need more help
The Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) is a separate Australian Government program that can cover up to 100% of fees, in addition to the regular Child Care Subsidy. It is for families:
- Experiencing temporary financial hardship
- Transitioning to work from income support
- With a child at risk of serious abuse or neglect
- Going through a one-off significant financial shock (illness, family violence, natural disaster, etc.)
- Where a grandparent is the primary carer and on income support
This calculator does not estimate ACCS. If any of these apply, please call Services Australia on 136 150 or visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/additional-child-care-subsidy — you may be entitled to substantially more support than this calculator shows.
All Sonas centres are approved for the Child Care Subsidy
Every Sonas Early Learning & Care centre across Perth is approved for the Child Care Subsidy. We can help you understand your fees and Child Care Subsidy entitlement at your tour.
Important: This page is a guide only and is not a determination of entitlement. Rates and rules are sourced from Services Australia and the Australian Government Department of Education and are current as of FY 2026-27 (effective 6 July 2026), including the 3 Day Guarantee (from 5 January 2026). Your actual Child Care Subsidy is determined by Services Australia. For the official figure, use the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy calculator and apply through your myGov account at servicesaustralia.gov.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is the Australian Government's main payment to help families with the cost of approved child care. It is paid directly to your child care provider, reducing the fees you pay each week.
Am I eligible for the Child Care Subsidy?
You are likely eligible if you care for a child aged 13 or younger who is not attending secondary school, you use an approved child care service (all Sonas centres are approved), you meet residency requirements, and your child's immunisations are up to date. Eligibility and entitlement are determined by Services Australia.
How is the Child Care Subsidy calculated?
Three things determine your subsidy: (1) your combined annual income, (2) your recognised participation (work, study, volunteering, looking for work) per fortnight, and (3) the type of child care service. Families earning $88,520 or less receive the maximum 90% subsidy (FY 2026-27 rates, effective 6 July 2026). The percentage tapers down by 1 percentage point for every $5,000 of additional income, reaching 0% at $538,520.
What is the 3 Day Guarantee?
From 5 January 2026, the activity test was replaced by the 3 Day Guarantee. Every Child Care Subsidy eligible family now receives at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight (about 3 days a week), regardless of how much recognised participation (work, study, etc.) they report. Families with more than 48 hours of recognised participation per fortnight (or with an exemption, or with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child) can receive up to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
I'm a single parent — does anything change?
No. The activity test (now the 3 Day Guarantee) uses your own hours, not a household total. Single parents fall under the same 3 Day Guarantee minimum and the same paths to 100 hours per fortnight.
I'm on JobSeeker, parental leave, paid carer's allowance or have an exemption — what do I get?
Some Australian Government income support payments come with automatic recognised participation, and some families have exemptions from the participation requirements (for example, exceptional circumstances or domestic violence pathways). These can entitle you to up to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight regardless of your work or study hours. Speak to Services Australia (136 150) about your specific circumstances.
Is there a higher subsidy for multiple children?
Yes. Families with 2 or more children aged 5 or under may receive the Higher Child Care Subsidy on their second and younger children — a higher rate of up to 95%. The Higher Child Care Subsidy applies where combined annual income is $370,727 or less (FY 2026-27). At incomes of $370,727 or more, no Higher Child Care Subsidy applies — second and younger children receive the same standard rate as the eldest. Tick the 'I have 2 or more children aged 5 or under' option in the calculator to see your rate.
What is the 5% withholding?
Services Australia withholds 5% of your Child Care Subsidy by default during the financial year to cover end-of-year reconciliation. This means your child care service receives 95% of your estimated subsidy each week. After you file your tax return, Services Australia reconciles your actual income against your estimate — if you under-estimated, the withheld 5% covers the shortfall; if you over-estimated, you get the rest back. You can change the withholding rate (including down to 0%) via your myGov account.
Why does my centre charge me for weeks I'm on holiday?
Most centres charge year-round (52 weeks) to keep their staffing and your child's place secure. The Child Care Subsidy still applies in those weeks as long as your child is enrolled — Services Australia subsidises 'absences' up to 42 days per child per year (more in some circumstances). The annual figures in this calculator default to 52 weeks because CCS pays year-round including those absence days; pick a lower option in the calculator if your centre or family situation differs.
What is the Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS)?
The Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) is a separate Australian Government program for families experiencing financial hardship, transitioning to work from income support, with a child at risk of harm, or going through a temporary financial event. ACCS can cover up to 100% of your child care fees and is in addition to the regular Child Care Subsidy. This calculator does not estimate ACCS — if your situation matches, contact Services Australia on 136 150 or visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/additional-child-care-subsidy.
How do I apply for the Child Care Subsidy?
Apply through your myGov account linked to Centrelink. You will need to confirm your income estimate, report your recognised participation for both parents, provide each child's details (including the Customer Reference Number, CRN), and nominate Sonas as your child care provider. The subsidy is then applied automatically to your fees.
Are all Sonas centres approved for the Child Care Subsidy?
Yes — our three open centres (Gosnells, Spearwood and Woodbridge) are all approved for the Child Care Subsidy. Sonas Morley will apply once it is licensed.
