The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is the main way the Australian Government helps families with child care fees, and from 10 July 2023, CCS is changing.
Most families using child care will get more subsidy and some families previously not eligible for CCS will now get it.
Broadly, the changes are:
- The maximum amount of CCS is increasing from 85% to 90%.
- Families earning $80,000 or less will get a CCS rate of 90%.
- Families earning over $80,000 get a CCS rate that decreases by 1% for each $5,000 of family income. This rate reaches 0% for families earning $530,000.
- Families earning below $362,408 with more than one child aged 5 or under in care can still get a higher rate for their second and younger children.
- Families with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child in their care can get at least 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
Families can visit childcaresubsidy.gov.au to find out what the changes mean for them. There are a range of resources available, including:
- Printable factsheets and posters
- Videos
- Translated materials
Families can use the CCS Calculator on the Starting Blocks website to find out what their future rates may be. Families can also get more information on the Services Australia website.
The video above was filmed at KU Cheltenham Memorial Preschool.