If you’re a parent in NSW trying to make sense of the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), here’s everything you need to know, right up front!
- CCS helps cover a portion of your childcare fees, reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
- Most families are eligible, depending on residency status, income, activity level, and type of care.
- You can save up to 90% on childcare costs through the subsidy.
- At Young Academics, we make the CCS process simple, guiding you from application to fee reduction.
What is the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a government payment that helps families reduce the cost of early learning. It’s applied directly to your childcare fees when you attend a CCS-approved childcare centre like Young Academics.
Wondering how does childcare subsidy work? It’s simple, the government pays a percentage of your childcare fees directly to your centre, and you pay the remaining “gap” amount.
You can also use a childcare subsidy calculator to estimate how much you’ll save, based on your income and activity level.
How Much Can You Save? (Childcare Subsidy Rates Explained)
Your childcare subsidy rate depends on three main factors:
- Your combined family income
- Families earning under $85,000 may receive up to 90% subsidy.
- The childcare subsidy rates gradually decrease as income increases.
- Your recognised activity hours (e.g. work, study, volunteering).
- The hourly rate cap set by the government for your childcare service type.
Example: If your family earns $100,000 and you use 3 days of care at $150/day, your childcare subsidy might cover 70%, reducing your cost to $45 per day.
You can easily estimate this using a childcare subsidy calculator available on the Services Australia website.
Who is Eligible for CCS in NSW?
Your childcare subsidy eligibility depends on meeting a few key criteria:
- You or your partner care for the child at least two nights per fortnight.
- You use a CCS-approved childcare provider (like Young Academics).
- You meet residency and income requirements.
- Your child is under 13 years old and not attending secondary school.
Tip: Even if one parent works casually or studies part-time, you may still qualify for a high childcare subsidy rate.
For families experiencing temporary financial hardship or special circumstances, there’s also an Additional Childcare Subsidy (ACCS), which can cover up to 100% of your childcare costs for a short period.
How to Apply for Childcare Subsidy
Many parents ask, “How to apply for childcare subsidy?” it’s easier than you think.
Here’s how to apply step-by-step:
- Log in to your myGov account and link Centrelink.
- Select Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and complete your claim.
- Provide your family income and activity details.
- Once approved, your childcare subsidy will automatically apply to your Young Academics fees.
Our centre teams can help you navigate the process or estimate your CCS using the childcare subsidy calculator.
Why Choose Young Academics (CCS-Approved Centres)
All Young Academics Early Learning Centres are fully CCS-approved, so you can claim the Child Care Subsidy directly.
We help families:
- Understand childcare subsidy eligibility and benefits
- Access the Additional Childcare Subsidy if eligible
- Calculate savings using a childcare subsidy calculator
- Stay updated on childcare subsidy changes 2025
We simplify CCS so you can focus on what matters most – your child’s growth and development.
2026 CCS changes from 5th Jan “3 Day Guarantee”
From July 2025, the government is expected to make further childcare subsidy changes to expand eligibility and increase benefits for families with multiple children in care.
Stay in touch with Young Academics for updates on childcare subsidy changes 2025 and how these updates could boost your family’s savings.
