Am I eligible to receive CCS?
To receive the subsidy, some basic requirements must be satisfied. These include:
- AGE – Your child must be aged 13 or under and must not attend secondary school (certain exemptions apply, e.g. disability, medical condition).
- IMMUNISATION – The child must meet immunisation requirements as outlined by the Australian Government.
- RESIDENCY – The individual (parent or guardian) applying must live in Australia and meet the residency requirement as outlined in legislation.
- CHILDCARE PROVIDER – The childcare provider must be approved and delivered in Australia; the service type is also taken into consideration.
- FAMILY INCOME – The amount of subsidy granted depends on the total taxable income of the individual parent/couple per financial year.
- ACTIVITY LEVELS – The individual parent/couple with the lowest entitlement determines the hours of subsidised care the child.
Calculating the CCS
There are three factors that determine the level of the subsidy that
can be granted to your family:
can be granted to your family:
Family income
Financial income refers to you, and your partner’s, combined taxable income for the entire financial year.
Hours of activity
The least active family member, in terms of ‘recognised’ activity, will determine the calculation of your CCS hours.
Hourly rate cap
This is determined by the type of approved service you use and the age of your child
Estimating your
CCS percentage
CCS percentage
Your CCS percentage is based on combined family income. Here
is a breakdown of the subsidy percentages according to annual
income:
is a breakdown of the subsidy percentages according to annual
income:
| Your family income | Child Care Subsidy percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| $0 to $70,015 | 85% | |
| $70,015 to $175,015 | Between 85% and 50% | The percentage goes down by 1% for every $3,000 of income your family earns |
| $175,015 to $254,305 | 50% | |
| $254,305 to $344,305 | Between 50% and 20% | The percentage goes down by 1% for every $3,000 of income your family earns |
| $344,305 to $354,305 | 20% | |
| $354,305 or more | 0 | |
What counts as “activity”?
The hours of CCS entitlement for each family are based on recognised activity. In two parent families, the hours of care entitled is determined by the person with the lowest number of hours of activity per fortnight. Recognised activity can count as:
- Paid work including being self-employed
- Paid or unpaid leave, including paid or unpaid parental or maternity leave (up to six months)
- Participating in an approved course of education or study
- Training to improve work skills and/or employment prospects
- Unpaid work in a family business by an immediate family member
- Unpaid voluntary work, work experience or internships
- Actively looking for work
- Actively setting up a new business that has not yet began operation (up to six months)
- Recipients of JobSeeker, Parenting Payment or Special Benefit, with a compulsory mutual obligation requirement will have access to 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight
- Recipients of Carer Allowance will have access to 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight
- Other types of activity as assessed by Centrelink as maintaining or improving work skills
New hourly rate caps
per family income
per family income
The hours of subsidised care you can access per fortnight applies
to each child. There are four activity levels:
to each child. There are four activity levels:
| Activity level each fortnight | Hours of subsidised care each fortnight |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 8 hours | 0 hours if you earn above $70,015 24 hours if you earn $70,015 or below |
| More than 8 to 16 hours | 36 hours |
| More than 16 to 48 hours | 72 hours |
| More than 48 hours | 100 hours |
How to apply for CCS
per family income
per family income
Some other helpful resources:
Set up
Ensure your MyGov account is set up and ready to access
Claim
Sign in to your MyGov, go to Centrelink and select Payment and Claims, click Make a Claim Under Families, click Get Started, answer all questions and follow the prompts, then Submit your claim NOTE - Each child will require a separate claim
Supply documents
Supporting documents must be submitted
Tracking
Your claim can be tracked via your MyGov account – keep hold of your receipt details
Programs at
young academics
young academics
Young Academics promises stimulating, quality instruction and
child care programs which spark curiosity in your child.
Family
resources
resources
Our family-focused approach is reflected in all aspects of our care. We are here to
nurture and grow with all in our network.
nurture and grow with all in our network.
