Effective July 2, 2018 the new child care subsidy (CCS) provides financial assistance to most working parents who rely on child care to:
Work
Volunteer
Actively looking for work
Study an approved course of education
Do you qualify for childcare subsidy?
Combined family income
Your family’s combined income will define the CCS percentage you’re entitled to. Remember, you will need to contact Centrelink when your combined income increases or decreases.
These tax brackets will be adjusted as per CPI every financial year.
Level of activity
| FAMILY INCOME | CCS % |
| $66,958 | 85% |
| $66,958 – $171, 958 | Subsidy reduces 1% for every $3,000 over $66,958 |
| $171,958 – $251,248 | 50% |
| $251,248 – $341,248 | Subsidy reduces 1% for every $3,000 over $251,248 |
| $341,248 – $351,248 | 20% |
| $351,248+ | Nill |
| HOURS OF ACTIVITY (PER FORTNIGHT) | MAXIMUM NUMBER OF HOURS OF SUBSIDY (PER FORTNIGHT) |
| 8 hours to 16 hours | 36 Hours |
| 16 hours to 48 hours | 72 Hours |
| More than 48 hours | 100 Hours |
You will only be able to access the Child Care Subsidy if you are doing suitable activity and the amount of activity will then determine how many hours of Childcare Subsidy you are eligible for.
- Paid work (including unpaid lunch breaks)
- Commute time from childcare centre to work (excludes time travelling form home to childcare centre and vice versa)
- Authorised leave (maternity leave, long service leave, annual leave etc)
- Unpaid work in a family business
- Setting up a new business
- Study
- Training and study (includes semester breaks)
- Work experience/internships (paid or unpaid)
- Volunteering
- Looking for work (Internet Job research, communications with employers, preparing resumes/letters of application, preparing for and attending job interviews, travel time for interviews)
Once you have been assessed, the outcome will be available in your Centrelink online account through myGov.
Note: the government will be holding back 5% of CCS paid to families until reconciliation at the end of every financial year. This balance will be paid back to families in their tax return if they are eligible.
Questions or Concerns?
Please contact our Centre Nominated Supervisors who will be able to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.
or
Visit the government’s website on the new system here. (https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood-and-child-care-0)
Other links of interest:
Forms for your Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN): www.centrelink.gov.au
Information for your Childcare Benefit and subsidy: www.humanservices.gov.au