With the growing cost of living in Australia, the government is here to lend a financial hand. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) helps offset the cost of child care. But how does it work? We’ll break it down for you.
What is Child Care Subsidy?
Simply put, the CCS is a government payment that helps eligible families with the cost of approved childcare. It’s paid directly to approved childcare providers – like Little Navigators – to automatically reduce the fees you pay. This makes quality early childhood education and care more affordable for your family.
Who can get a Child Care Subsidy?
Before you can get any childcare rebates, you’ll need to tick these boxes:
- Your income: Families with a combined income of $533,280 or less can get a percentage-based rebate. We’ve broken it down for you below.
- Your activity level: The ‘activity test’ assesses your work, study, volunteering, or other recognised activities. The higher your activity level, the more subsidies hours you can get.
- The type of childcare service: Approved childcare services like Little Navigators (early learning centres), family day care, and outside school hours care, are all eligible.
- Other factors: Children also need to be up to date with immunisations, be 13 or under (in most cases), and meet the residency rules.
How can you apply for the Child Care Subsidy?
To start getting daycare rebates, follow these five steps:
- Create a MyGov account: Once setup, you’ll link it to CentreLink
- Set up the Customer Reference Number (CRN): You can do this through MyGov
- Complete the claim: You’ll need to provide info about your family’s income, activity levels and childcare arrangements.
- Provide supporting documents: You might also need to share things like proof of income or activity.
- Share your CRN with us: We’ll apply it to your account so you can get our daycare subsidy rates.
How long does the Child Care Subsidy take to process?
Processing times can vary, so it’s best to apply as early as possible. Generally, it takes a few weeks for your application to be processed. The good news is, the childcare rebate can be backdated up to 28 days before you made your claim.
How much Child Care Subsidy can I get?
The percentage you receive can be anywhere from 90 to 1% based on your income level. Here’s a quick breakdown of the standards CCS rates correct as of February 2025:
| Your family income | CCS percentage |
| $83,280 or less | 90% |
| Between $83,280.01 and $533,279.99 | For every $5000 of income you earn over $83,280, your CCS percentage goes down by 1% |
| $533,280 or more | 0% |
If you have more than one child aged 5 or under, you might qualify for a higher subsidy for one or more children.
To calculate your potential rebate, you can use the Child Care Subsidy Estimator on the Services Australia website.
We’re here to help
Overwhelmed by CCS? Our Little Navigators team is here to help you work out your entitlements. Chat to your Centre Manager, or email enquiries@littlenavigators.com.au for further information.
