Child Care Subsidy (CCS) | Affordable Childcare at Amara Balga

What is the Child Care Subsidy?

The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a government program that helps reduce the cost of approved childcare for Australian families. If you’re eligible, the subsidy is paid directly to your childcare provider, lowering your weekly out-of-pocket fees.

CCS is designed to make early learning more accessible – so more families can access quality care while balancing work, study or other commitments.

Want to get an idea of your CCS amount? Try the Care for Kids Child Care Subsidy Calculator, it’s free and easy to use.

How does Child Care Subsidy work?

Select an option from the list below

Who is eligible for CCS?

To be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy, you must:

Care for a child aged under 13, not attending secondary school
Be using an approved childcare provider
Meet residency and immunisation requirements
Be responsible for paying the childcare fees
Meet the activity test (which looks at how many hours you and your partner are working, studying or volunteering)

Most families are eligible for at least some subsidy – and many receive a significant reduction.

How To Claim

Getting started is simple. Here’s how to apply:

Log in to your MyGov account and link it to Centrelink
Submit a CCS claim through Centrelink
Provide your income and activity details, and confirm your childcare provider
Once approved, the subsidy will be applied directly to your childcare fees

Your childcare provider will confirm your child’s enrolment, and you’ll receive your CCS from the date care begins (as long as everything is in place).

Additional Support

In some cases, families may be eligible for extra help, including:

Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) for families experiencing financial hardship or exceptional circumstances
Higher CCS entitlements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, or families referred for support
Increased hours for families who meet low-income or special eligibility criteria

You can learn more about extra support through Services Australia.