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The Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
Introduced in July 2018, the Child Care Subsidy system has made childcare simpler and more affordable for families. Giving families in Australia easier access to Early Education, the CCS means more children can be a part of the exciting opportunities that early learning offers.
We want every child to benefit from having access to our quality programs. As we are a registered childcare provider, children enrolled with Young Academics are eligible for CCS benefits.
If you want to know more about claiming benefits, our friendly team are here to advise, support and help you make the most of the CCS please call our customer service team on 1800 985 202.
Am I eligible to receive CCS 
To receive the CCS, some basic Australian Government
requirements must be satisfied. These include:
AGE
The 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 REQUIREMENTS
The individual/partner must 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/couple per financial year
ACTIVITY LEVELS
The individual/couple with the lowest entitlement determines the hours of subsidised care the child
Calculating the CCS
There are 3 factors that determine the level of the subsidy that can be granted to your family:
FAMILY INCOME
Financial income refers to your, 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.
Between 8 and 16 = 36 hours
Between 16 and 48 = 72 hours
More than 48 = 100 hours
HOURLY RATE CAP
Depending on the childcare you use, the type of childcare service and the age of your child, your subsidy may be capped.
Estimating your CCS percentage
As determined by the Australian Government, your CCS percentage is based on combined
family income. Here is a breakdown of subsidy percentages:
| Your family income | CCS % |
|---|---|
| $0 to $68,163 | 85% |
| $68,163 to below $173,163 | Between 85% and 50% The percentage goes down by 1% for every $3000 of income your family earns |
| $173,163 to below $252,453 | 50% |
| $252,453 to below $342,453 | Between 50% and 20% The percentage goes down by 1% for every $3000 of income your family earns |
| $342,453 to below $352,453 | 20% |
| $352,453 or more | 0% |
What counts as “activity”?
The hours of CCS entitlement for each family are based on recognised activity. Recognised activity can count as:
- Paid work including being self-employed or on paid or unpaid leave (up to 6 weeks)
- Participating in an approved course of education or study
- Training to improve work skills and/or employment prospects
- Unpaid voluntary work, work experience or internships, work in a family business by an immediate family member
- Actively looking for work or setting up a new business that has not yet began operation
- Recipients of Newstart, Youth Allowance (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
In two parent families, the hours of care entitled is determined by the person with the lowest number of hours
of activity per fortnight. In sole parent families, the parent must meet the activity test of be exempted:
of activity per fortnight. In sole parent families, the parent must meet the activity test of be exempted:
| STEP | Hours of Activity (per fortnight) | Hours of subsidy (per fortnight, per child) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 hours – 8 hours | 0 hours (if total income is >$68,163) |
| 2 | 0 hours – 8 hours | 24 hours (it total income is <$68,163) |
| 3 | 8 hours - 16 hours | 36 hours |
| 4 | 16 hours - 48 hours | 72 hours |
| 5 | 48 hours+ | 100 hours |
New hourly rate caps per family income
The new CCS scheme has updated its current cap and now, in addition to activity, considers
the following total income of each family per scal year:
Families earning up to $186,958
NO CAP
Families earning between
$186,958 and $351,248
$186,958 and $351,248
Cap = $10,190
Families earning more than $351,248
NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CCS
How to receive the CCS
Step 1: SET UP
- Ensure your MyGov account is set up and ready to access
Step 2: DOCUMENTS
- Supporting documents must be submitted
Step 3: 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
- Submit your claim
- NOTE: Each child will require a separate claim
Step 4: TRACKING
- Your claim can be tracked via your MyGov account – keep hold of your receipt details
Helpful resources regarding the CCS
Enquire now
OUR PROGRAMS
Young Academics promises stimulating, quality instruction and child care programs which spark curiosity in your child.
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BENEFITS
Give your child an opportunity to benefit from the long-lasting social, physical and academic benefits of early child care.
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OUR LOCATIONS
Young Academics centres are operating in New South Wales, offering high-calibre early child care and preschool services.
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