Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

What Is the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

The Child Care Subsidy is a government program that helps reduce the cost of early learning for eligible families. Your CCS percentage depends on:

• Your combined family income
• The type of approved child care your child attends
• The number of hours you work, study, or volunteer
• Whether your child is up to date with immunisations

The CCS is paid directly to Rochedale Central Childcare, reducing your fees. You simply pay the difference.

The Child Care Subsidy can reduce your daily out-of-pocket fee by up to 95%, depending on your family’s entitlements. You can find out how much Child Care Subsidy you could be entitled to with the quick and easy calculator.

Child Care Subsidy Calculator

Child Care Subsidy Calculator provides estimates for kindergarten and preschool funding based. It helps you understand the support you may receive for long day care, preschool, or kindergarten, so you can plan your child’s early learning journey with confidence.

Each year, the Australian Federal Government adjusts the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) hourly rate caps and family income thresholds based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The maximum hourly rate and family income thresholds for the 2025/2026 financial year are outlined below:

• If your family has a child in an early education and childcare service, the maximum CCS hourly rate for Centre Based Care is $14.63
• If your family has a child in an outside school hours care service (OSHC), the maximum CCS hourly rate for school aged children is $12.81
• If your family earns under $85,279 per year, your CCS percentage will be 90%
• Your CCS percentage rates will decrease by 1% for every additional $5,000 earned over $85,279 per annum.
•  If your family earns $535,279 or above per year, your CCS percentage will be 0%
• Families with more than one child aged 5 or under, with income below $367,563 will get a higher rate of CCS for their second and younger children.
• First Nations families can get at least 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. Families can get more subsidised hours based on their circumstances.
• Families with Preschool/Kindergarten aged children attending an approved subsidised program in the year before they commence school, can get at least 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. Families can get more subsidised hours based on their circumstances.

Additional Financial Support

We know it’s not always smooth sailing when it comes to finances, and that’s why we want to do everything we can to help you access care when you need it most. We want the children in our care to enjoy uninterrupted access to learning and high-quality care.

So, we’re here to help and to reassure you that there are options to help you get through times of financial difficulty, without the need to reduce or remove your child from care.

Additional Childcare Subsidy is Available for Families

Depending on your circumstances, there may be government assistance your family is entitled to, over and above the Child Care Subsidy.

If your income has been reduced or impacted by a significant event in your life, we encourage you to read on and find out what assistance you may be eligible for. You can also call our concierge team on 13 82 30 to discuss your individual situation, visit Services Australia, My Gov or head into your local Centrelink office.

Extra supports is available for:

• Families experiencing temporary financial hardship
• Parents transitioning back to work
• Grandparent carers on income support

Support for Families facing Temporary Financial Hardship

The Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) Temporary Financial Hardship payment, in some instances will cover the full fees charged by your child care centre. It is designed to support families experiencing significant financial stress due to exceptional circumstances including job loss, caring for an ill loved one, or having recently lost a family member.

If eligible, the additional support means there’s no need to interrupt your child’s learning, and that we can continue to support your family with the care you’re used to, when you need it most.

This additional support is there to help families through difficult times – and to give you one less thing to worry about. To discuss your individual circumstances, speak to your us or head to the My Gov website or contact our Concierge Team on 13 82 30.

Financial Support for Families Returning to Work

This additional payment is for those families who are training, re-skilling, looking for work or returning to work. The subsidy will pay up to 95% of your childcare fees to help you get back to work. The support can last for different amounts of time from 26 weeks and longer for when you are studying or training.

If you think you may be eligible for this support, speak to your Centre Manager or contact our Concierge Team on 13 82 30.

Financial Support for Grandparents

This support is for grandparents on income support who are caring for a grandchild at least 65% of the time. Similar to the Temporary Financial Hardship Subsidy, this subsidy provides up to 100 hours of care a fortnight and is not subject to an activity test.

If you think you may be eligible for this support, speak to your Centre Manager or contact our Concierge Team on 13 82 30.

Payments and services to help with the cost of raising a child. Information about child care and child support.