All Child Care Subsidy (CCS) eligible families can now get 3 days of subsidised child care per week, or 72 hours a fortnight. This started on 5 January 2026 and replaces the previous activity test.
On this page:
The information on this page is for providers and services that administer CCS. Families can learn more about CCS and lodge a claim on the Services Australia website.
What are the changes to CCS?
From 5 January 2026, all CCS eligible families are guaranteed at least 72 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight (3 days per week), regardless of activity levels.
Families can get 100 hours of subsidised child care each fortnight for each child if they:
- are caring for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child
- have more than 48 hours each fortnight of recognised participation
- have an exemption or experience exceptional circumstances, or
- receive Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) child wellbeing, temporary financial hardship or grandparent payments.
Families can find out more about how this applies to their specific circumstances on the Services Australia website.
Families must still meet CCS eligibility requirements. The amount of subsidy they get continues to be based on family income, the type of care used and the hourly rate cap.
What do families need to do?
Families who already get CCS do not need to do anything. They will automatically receive the minimum 72 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight.
Families who were not eligible for CCS before, or who have never claimed CCS, must make a CCS claim before they can get the guaranteed 72 hours. This is because the 3 Day Guarantee only applies after a family has been found eligible for CCS.
- must still pay a gap fee, except in certain circumstances
- must still meet entitlement and eligibility criteria
- will have their subsidy percentage assessed using the same income-based CCS rules as before.
Families can learn more about CCS and lodge a claim on the Services Australia website.
How many subsidised hours can families get?
From 5 January 2026, all CCS eligible families can now get at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
| Your situation | Hours of subsidised care each fortnight per child |
|---|---|
| 48 hours or less of recognised participation each fortnight | 72 hours |
More than 48 hours of recognised participation each fortnight Caring for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child Approved exemptions Getting ACCS child wellbeing, temporary financial hardship or grandparent payments | 100 hours |
What are the changes for First Nations children?
Families can get 100 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight for each Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child in their care. This is regardless of their family’s hours of recognised participation each fortnight.
Families should tell Services Australia that they have Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children in their care, if they would like to get 100 hours of subsidised child care.
Families can update their details in their Centrelink online account.
It’s voluntary to tell Services Australia if a family cares for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child.
If a family chooses not to tell Services Australia, they may get 72 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight for each child.
What is guaranteed under the 3 Day Guarantee?
These changes mean all CCS eligible families are guaranteed at least 72 hours of subsidised care a fortnight. This is equivalent to 3 days a week.
Families are not guaranteed a place with a provider. Families will still need to secure a place with their chosen child care service and may need to pay a gap fee.
The changes apply to all service types. This includes Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care, Outside School Hours Care and In Home Care.
Frequently asked questions
Who gets the 3 Day Guarantee?
All families who are eligible for CCS.
When did the 3 Day Guarantee start?
The change started on 5 January 2026.
Do families need to apply for the 3 Day Guarantee?
Families who already get CCS do not need to do anything. They will automatically receive the minimum 72 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight.
Families who were not eligible for CCS before, or who have never claimed CCS, must make a CCS claim before they can get the guaranteed 72 hours.
Does the 3 Day Guarantee guarantee a place in child care?
No. Families must still secure a place with a child care provider.
Where can families find more information?
Families can visit the Services Australia website to: