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Child Care Subsidy (CCS) calculator

Use this guide to explore an estimated Child Care Subsidy rate and possible out-of-pocket cost. It is not a fee quote or a Services Australia entitlement assessment.

Enter your information below. If you do not know your daily fee, you can contact a centre or deliberately use the clearly labelled example.

Your and your partner's estimated income for the year.

Fees vary by centre and room. Check with your chosen centre for its current fee; this field is not a fee quote. The subsidy applies up to $15.19 per hour.

Don't know the daily fee?

Find your nearest centre and contact the team for the fee that applies to your child's room, or use the clearly labelled example to explore how this estimator works.

Find and contact a centre

$150 is an example only. It is not an Explorers fee quote and may not match your centre or room.

A standard day is around 10–12 hours.

Hours of care per fortnight

From 5 January 2026, every eligible family gets at least 72 subsidised hours per fortnight regardless of activity (the 3-Day Guarantee). More than 48 hours of recognised participation may provide up to 100 hours.

Add a daily fee to see an estimate

Your result will stay hidden until you enter a fee confirmed by a centre or deliberately choose the $150 example. We will never treat the example as your actual fee.

The estimate above uses 2026–27 Child Care Subsidy rates (effective 6 July 2026) and is a guide only, not financial advice or a fee quote. Centre fees vary by location and room, so confirm the daily fee with your chosen centre. Your actual entitlement and payment are determined by Services Australia.

Official sources, checked 17 July 2026: the Department of Education's 2026–27 CCS rates, income thresholds and hourly caps, Services Australia's 3 Day Guarantee and recognised participation guidance, and the Family Assistance Guide's withholding rules.

Child in sunlight at an Explorers centre

What is the Childcare Subsidy (CCS)?

The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a financial support initiative by the Australian Government to help families reduce the cost of early childhood education and care. The subsidy amount varies based on your income, the type of care you use, and your family's eligibility criteria.

  • CCS covers a percentage of childcare fees, making early learning more affordable
  • Payments go directly to your childcare provider, reducing what you pay upfront
  • Families pay only the remaining 'gap fee,' which can be estimated using a childcare payment calculator

How does the CCS calculator work?

Our childcare CCS calculator helps you explore an estimated government subsidy and possible out-of-pocket cost per session.

Simply enter details like:

  • Your family income (before tax)
  • The daily fee confirmed by your chosen centre and room
  • Your expected session hours and days per week
  • Your recognised participation level

Why use the childcare CCS calculator?

At Explorers Early Learning, we encourage families to use the childcare rebate calculator because:

  • It provides clarity on costs, helping you plan your budget effectively
  • It gives you a planning estimate to discuss with your centre and Services Australia
  • It empowers parents to access available subsidies, making quality childcare more affordable
  • It reduces financial stress, allowing families to focus on what truly matters: your child's growth and development

Explore Affordable, High-Quality Childcare with Explorers Early Learning

Every child deserves access to high-quality early education. The calculator can help you explore a possible subsidy and out-of-pocket amount. It cannot confirm your entitlement, your centre fee, or what you will pay.

At Explorers Early Learning, we offer enriching programs designed to support your child's development at every stage.

For more on early learning and how the subsidy fits in, see Starting Blocks (the government's early childhood guide) and Goodstart Early Learning.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Child Care Subsidy?

The Child Care Subsidy is a government-funded program designed to assist Australian families with childcare costs.

How does the Child Care Subsidy work?

The subsidy is paid directly to the childcare provider based on your eligibility, reducing your total fees. The amount covered depends on:

  • Your family's combined income
  • Your recognised participation and circumstances, which determine whether you receive 72 or 100 subsidised hours per fortnight
  • The hourly rate cap for your chosen childcare service

How do I know if I'm eligible?

Services Australia assesses eligibility. Its published criteria include:

  • You must care for the child at least 2 nights per fortnight or have at least 14% care
  • You must be liable for fees at an approved childcare provider (like Explorers Early Learning)
  • Your child must meet immunisation requirements

From 5 January 2026, eligible families receive at least 72 subsidised hours per fortnight under the 3 Day Guarantee. More than 48 hours of recognised participation, a valid exemption, or other qualifying circumstances may provide 100 hours.

What determines the amount I may pay?

Your final childcare costs depend on:

  • Your CCS percentage (calculated based on family income)
  • Your recognised participation and subsidised-hours entitlement
  • The hourly rate of your chosen childcare centre
  • Any additional childcare rebates available for your situation

How do I claim the Child Care Subsidy?

Claiming your Child Care Subsidy is a simple process:

  1. Set up your myGov account and link it to Centrelink
  2. Submit a CCS application through Centrelink, providing necessary details like family income and work/study status
  3. Wait for Centrelink's assessment, which will determine your subsidy percentage
  4. Enrol your child at Explorers Early Learning, and your CCS amount will be automatically applied to your fees

I have a question about CCS enrolment

To connect your CCS enrolment to Services Australia, we require the CRN of your child and the CRN of the guardian claiming CCS.

In addition, we require the DOB for both the guardian and the child that will be enrolling at one of our Centres. If you have not yet provided this detail, please include it when you send us an account enquiry.