Child Care Subsidy Calculator

What is the Child Care Subsidy Calculator?

The Child Care Subsidy is financial assistance that is provided by the Australian Federal Government to assist families with the cost of early childhood education and care.

Child Care Subsidy is based on your level of income, activity and the daily fees charged by your provider. Our Child Care Subsidy Calculator can help you estimate how much subsidy you may be eligible for.

This calculation of child care fees incorporates the increase in Child Care Subsidy that came into effect on January 5, 2026.

This calculator has been designed to help you estimate your fees. It is recommended you check with your service provider to confirm an exact figure. Five per cent of your CCS is withheld by Centrelink and will be paid to you at the end of the tax year, based on your tax assessment.

About the Child Care Subsidy

How much Child Care Subsidy can I get?

You will need to answer some questions to learn how much Child Care Subsidy you may be entitled to. This amount will be determined by the hours of work or recognised activity you and your partner undertake each fortnight, your combined family income, and the fees you pay for approved care.

How is the Child Care Subsidy paid?

The Child Care Subsidy is paid directly to your Early Education and Care provider, to reduce the fees that you pay.

For payments to be made, you will need to have applied for a Customer Reference Number from Centrelink, created a Centrelink account online, created a MyGov account online and completed your child care subsidy assessment.

Am I eligible for Child Care Subsidy?

You may be eligible if you care for your child at least two nights per fortnight or have 14 per cent care, are liable for fees for an approved service, live in Australia for at least 46 weeks of the financial year, and meet residency rules.

Your child must also be 13 years of age or under and not attending secondary school unless an exemption applies, and be up to date with immunisations listed in the National Immunisation Program Schedule.

Hours of recognised activities

The hours of subsidised care you can receive per fortnight depend on recognised activities such as paid work, unpaid work in a family business, approved study or training, volunteering, actively looking for work, or other approved activities.

Withholding five per cent of Child Care Subsidy

Five per cent of your Child Care Subsidy will be withheld each financial year to help reduce the likelihood of receiving an overpayment. Where parents received the correct amount, or less subsidy than they were entitled to, amounts withheld during the year will be paid directly to them as a lump sum.