Support and money
Child-care costs and subsidies
Check CCS, separate-parent claims and extra help without assuming care is free or a place is guaranteed.
Check eligibility and the available place
Child Care Subsidy, or CCS, contributes towards eligible child-care fees. A parent generally needs at least 14% care, responsibility for fees at an approved service, and to meet residence rules. The child's age, schooling and immunisation also matter.
Since 5 January 2026, eligible families can receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, regardless of activity levels. This is a subsidy-hours guarantee. It does not guarantee a provider place or remove fees. Income, care type and hourly limits affect the amount.
Existing CCS recipients receive the minimum hours automatically. If you have never claimed, make a CCS claim and have eligibility assessed. Ask the provider about vacancies, session charges and the gap you would pay before accepting a place.
Arrange shared care correctly
Separated parents may each qualify if they share care and each is responsible for fees. Each parent needs their own claim and separate care arrangement and enrolment with the provider. Agree with the provider which parent is responsible for the sessions they book.
Ask Services Australia how changed care, income or a new relationship affects your claim. Do not assume the other parent's CCS claim covers your fees, or use the FTB care condition as a CCS test.
- Ask what you must confirm in your online enrolment.
- Keep provider statements and notices securely.
- Tell the agency promptly if care, work or family circumstances change.
Ask about extra assistance
Additional Child Care Subsidy, or ACCS, has separate routes for child wellbeing, temporary financial hardship, transition to work and eligible grandparents. Each route has its own conditions. Separation by itself does not establish hardship assistance.
The provider applies for child wellbeing assistance. Parents apply for the other relevant routes. Speak to the provider and Services Australia about which process fits, what evidence is needed and any remaining fees.
Confirm income and keep records
CCS and FTB are balanced separately after the financial year. Check your income-confirmation notice and deadlines even if FTB has already balanced. If former-partner income is needed, contact the Families service; you do not have to contact the former partner for that information.
If fees are unaffordable while you wait, ask the provider and agency what help is possible.
Your next step
Use the official links above, or find local services in your state.
Sources for this guide
- Department of Education: Child Care Subsidy (external website) Reviewed 5 October 2026
- Department of Education: child-care guarantee (external website) Reviewed 5 October 2026
- Services Australia: Additional Child Care Subsidy (external website) Reviewed 5 October 2026
- Services Australia: applying for additional child-care assistance (external website) Reviewed 5 October 2026
- Services Australia: balancing CCS (external website) Reviewed 5 October 2026
Related guides
Wording reviewed 5 October 2026. Numerical rules have separate verification dates on Sources and updates.