If you want to use child care, the Australian Government helps cover the costs. It’s called Child Care Subsidy, or CCS.
On this page:
From 5 January 2026, families can now get 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight for each Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children in their care, regardless of their level of recognised participation.
The government pays child care services, who pass the subsidy on to you as cheaper fees.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children get 100 hours of CCS per fortnight. This is regardless of the amount of recognised participation you do.
- This may make your child care fees cheaper.
- Young ones can prepare and be ready for big school.
- You have more access to child care if you need it.
What you need to do
You should tell Services Australia that you have an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child in your care and would like to get 100 hours of subsidised care. It is voluntary to tell Services Australia this.
You can update your details with Services Australia via:
- your Centrelink online account through myGov
- the Express Plus Centrelink app.
You do not need to do anything if you have already told Services Australia that you have an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child in your care to get 100 hours of subsidy. Families will not be required to report their recognised participation where all CCS children in their care are First Nations children.
Your family’s CCS rate will continue to be based on your income.