Child Care Subsidy
5-minute read
Key facts
- The Child Care Subsidy is the main way the government helps families to pay for the cost of child care.
- The Child Care Subsidy is only paid for certain types of approved child care.
- The amount of subsidy you will receive will depend on your family circumstances, income, and your child's age.
- The Child Care Subsidy is usually paid directly to your child care provider, lowering the out-of-pocket cost you need to pay.
- You may also be eligible for an Additional Child Care Subsidy in some circumstances, such as financial hardship.
What is the Child Care Subsidy?
The Child Care Subsidy is the main way the government helps families with the cost of child care.
The Child Care Subsidy is designed to:
- make child care affordable for more families
- provide extra help for low- and middle-income families
What can the Child Care Subsidy be used to pay for?
The Child Care Subsidy is only paid for approved child care.
Approved child care includes:
- Centre Based Day Care, including long day care and occasional care
- Family Day Care
- Outside School Hours Care, including before and after school and vacation care
- In Home Care
Your child care service can tell you which sort of care they provide. The StartingBlocks website can help you find approved care in your area.
The Child Care Subsidy is paid directly to your child care provider. This reduces the amount you need to pay in child care fees.
Am I eligible for the Child Care Subsidy?
You may be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy if:
- your child is aged 13 years or younger and does not attend secondary school (high school), unless an exemption applies
- your child is immunised
- you or your partner meet the residency rules
- you are responsible for paying the child care fees
If you child is in high school but needs supervision, you may still be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy. It's available for children 14 to 18 years old if they have a disability or can't be left unsupervised.
You can check your eligibility on the Services Australia website.
How much will the Child Care Subsidy pay?
The amount of the subsidy will depend on your circumstances including:
- Your family income.
- How many hours per week each parent spends doing recognised activities, such as paid work, training, volunteering or looking for work.
- The type of approved child care you use.
- Your child's age.
- Your number of children in care.
You can use the Payment and Service Finder to estimate how much Child Care Subsidy you may get.
Additional Child Care Subsidy payments
You may be eligible for an Additional Child Care Subsidy to help with the cost of approved care if you are:
- an eligible grandparent getting an income support payment
- changing from certain income support payments to work
- having temporary financial hardship
- caring for a child who is vulnerable or at risk of harm, abuse or neglect
There is more information on the Additional Child Care Subsidy at Services Australia.
Resources and support
Read more about the Child Care Subsidy and Additional Child Care Subsidy at Services Australia.
StartingBlocks can help you find approved child care in your area.
Read more about Australia's Early Childhood education and care system and the Child Care Subsidy.
You can also call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: September 2023
