This toolkit is for providers, services and stakeholders to help build awareness of changes to Child Care Subsidy (CCS) hours from 5 January 2026.
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Who should use this kit
This kit is for organisations that support families and the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, including:
- peak bodies and industry groups
- state and territory education departments and regulatory authorities
- other Commonwealth agencies.
It contains materials to share with families, educators, providers and services in your network.
Please do not alter the supplied images.
When to use this kit
You may share the information in this kit at any time.
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From 5 January 2026, all CCS eligible families can get at least 72 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight.
Families can get 100 hours of subsidised child care each fortnight for each child if they:
- are caring for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child
- have more than 48 hours each fortnight of recognised participation
- have an exemption or experience exceptional circumstances
- receive Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) child wellbeing, temporary financial hardship or grandparent payments.
Families must still pay a gap fee, except in certain circumstances.
Families are not guaranteed a place with a provider. Families will still need to secure a place with their chosen child care service.
Providers and services: Find out more on the 3 day guarantee page.
Families: To find out more and lodge a claim, visit the Services Australia website at Changes if you get family payments.
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Changes to CCS subsidised hours start in 2026
From 5 January 2026, all CCS eligible families can get at least 72 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight.
Families can get 100 hours of subsidised child care each fortnight for each child if they:
- are caring for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child
- have more than 48 hours each fortnight of recognised participation
- have an exemption or experience exceptional circumstances
- receive Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) child wellbeing, temporary financial hardship or grandparent payments.
Families must still pay a gap fee, except in certain circumstances.
Families are not guaranteed a place with a provider. Families will still need to secure a place with their chosen child care service.
Families who want to get more than 72 hours will need to report their recognised participation to Services Australia.
Providers and services: Find out more on the 3 day guarantee page.
Families: To find out more and lodge a claim, visit the Services Australia website at Changes if you get family payments.
