The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is the main way the Australian Government helps families with the cost of approved childcare. If your child attends long day care, it is almost certainly your biggest saving, and it stacks with Victoria’s Free Kinder. Here is how it works.
What Is the Child Care Subsidy?
CCS is paid directly to your childcare provider to reduce the fees you pay. You never handle the money; it comes off your invoice, so you only pay the gap.
Who Is Eligible?
Most Australian families using an approved service are eligible. Your subsidy depends on three things: your family income, the hours of recognised activity (work, study, volunteering or looking for work) you do, and the type of care you use.
How the Amount Is Worked Out
- Family income sets your subsidy percentage, lower incomes receive a higher percentage.
- Activity level sets how many subsidised hours per fortnight you can claim.
- Care type sets the hourly rate cap the subsidy is calculated against.
Because the percentages and caps are indexed each year, check Services Australia for the current figures before you budget.
How CCS and Free Kinder Work Together
In Victoria you can receive both. CCS reduces your daily fee first, then the Free Kinder offset is applied on top for 3 and 4 year old kindergarten, lowering your out-of-pocket cost even further.
What You Pay at Long Day Care
At a centre like ours, long day care in Albion has a daily fee, CCS comes off that fee, and Free Kinder reduces it again for kinder-aged children. For a local worked example, see our guide to childcare fees in Sunshine.
How to Claim
Claim CCS through your myGov account linked to Centrelink before your child starts. Once approved, confirm your enrolment and the subsidy flows automatically.
Questions about fees at Anderson Road Child Care Centre in Albion? Enquire now or book a tour.