Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is accessed through Centrelink and helps families by reducing the cost of early childhood education and care (ECEC). The CCS is applied for by the parent/carer themselves via myGov or the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app. Parents/carers need to meet Centrelink’s eligibility criteria including residency and immunisation requirements to receive this support.
Who
Child Care Subsidy (CCS) can be accessed if parents/carers meet the Centrelink requirements including that:
- their child is using an approved childcare service including long day care, occasional care, family day care or outside school hours care (OSHC)
- their child meets the immunisation requirements and
- the parent/carer meets the residency rules.
What you can get
CCS is paid directly to the ECEC service and the rebate is passed on to families as a reduction in their childcare bill.
The amount of rebate a family receives depends on the individual circumstances including family income and the hours of recognised activity a parent/carer engages in each fortnight such as work, study, looking for work and volunteering.
Families can get an estimate of what they may be entitled to at Starting Blocks.
How to access
Parents/carers need to make direct contact with Centrelink to apply through:
- their Centrelink online account
- myGov
- the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app
- visiting a Centrelink office and apply in person
Encourage the parent/carer to apply for the CCS before a child enrols in an ECEC service. This will enable the subsidy to be applied from the child’s first day at the ECEC service. If a parent/carer applies for the CCS after a child starts, payment can only be back-dated for up to 28 days before the claim was made so the sooner the process is started the better.
Support for the CCS application and childcare enrolment process.
Resources
More information about CCS on the Services Australia and Federal Department of Education websites.
- Starting Blocks has some helpful information for families about CCS.
- Centrelink Families Line - 136 150 - provides help with Centrelink family payments, including the CCS.
- Services Australia have a CCS Help Desk to support child care providers and services seeking answers. The CCS Help Desk can be contacted by calling 1300 667 276 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (AEDT) or via email.
