You can get help with the cost of early childhood education and care through the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Services Australia generally pays CCS directly to your provider to reduce the fees you pay.
On this page:
Who can get CCS
You must meet eligibility criteria to get CCS.
Learn who can get CCSHow much can you get
The amount of CCS you can get depends on your circumstances. Services Australia will look at:
- your family income
- how many children you (or your partner) claim for
- the age of your children in care
- your family activity level
- type of care you use.
How to claim
Services Australia has a step-by-step guide to claiming CCS.
Learn how to claimHow to manage your payment
If you get CCS, you have an ongoing responsibility to keep your family’s information up to date.
You need to tell Services Australia if any of the following change:
- your family income
- your family activity level
- your relationship status
- other changes to your family’s circumstances.
How to balance your payment
Services Australia compares your family’s income estimate with your family’s actual income at the end of each financial year. This is how they check you got the right amount of CCS.
You need to confirm your family’s income after the end of each financial year so Services Australia can start the balancing process.
Learn about balancing your paymentAccess extra support
Some families can get Additional Child Care Subsidy. This is paid on top of CCS to provide extra support with child care fees.
See what other help is available