Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Calculator
Child Care Subsidy At A Glance
- Every CCS-eligible family will receive at least 72 subsidised hours per fortnight for each child (approximately 3 days a week), regardless of how many hours of work, study or volunteering they do. This is the 3 Day Guarantee that commenced on 5 January 2026 (Department of Education).
- CCS-eligible families can get up to 100 subsidised hours per fortnight of early learning if they meet activity requirements.
- The amount of CCS your family receives depends on your family income, your subsidised hours, your childcare fees and the government hourly CCS rate cap.
- CCS is capped at $15.19 an hour for campus-based day care for children below school age, as of 6 July 2026. If the fee is higher than the cap, you may have to pay the difference (Department of Education).
How To Calculate Your Child Care Subsidy With Our Calculator
Our calculator estimates your Child Care Subsidy payments offsetting your daily fee, based on your family’s circumstances. It does not include campus-specific discounts, offers or other fee adjustments.
Before you start
Make sure you have the following ready:
- Your CCS Percentage and Recognised Participation hours (per fortnight) from your Centrelink Notice of Assessment or your estimated annual family income if you haven’t claimed yet
- Your child(s) age group, the days and hours of care you need
- The daily fee of a chosen provider
By proceeding with using this calculator you are agreeing to Only About Children’s full disclaimer.
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Summary
You
Which best describes you?
Where are you located, please enter your postcode.
Would you like us to email you the results?
Subsidy
Your CCS details
Do you know your CCS Percentage from 6 July 2026?
If you know your CCS percentage, you can enter it into the 'Child Care Subsidy Percentage field.
Do you know your CCS Percentage from 6 July 2026?
If you know your CCS percentage, you can enter it into the 'Child Care Subsidy Percentage field.
Standard Child Care Subsidy Percentage
Child Care Subsidy Percentage
Subsidy per cent of the actual fee charged (up to relevant percentage of the hourly fee cap).
The maximum hourly fee cap by service type is list below:
Centre Based Day Care: $12.31;
Family Day Care: $11.40;
Outside School Hours Care: $10.77.
These amounts are correct for 2021/22 (FY22) and may be subject to adjustment through indexation in subsequent years.
Subsidy per cent of the actual fee charged (up to relevant percentage of the hourly fee cap).
The maximum hourly fee cap by service type is list below:
Centre Based Day Care: $12.31;
Family Day Care: $11.40;
Outside School Hours Care: $10.77.
These amounts are correct for 2021/22 (FY22) and may be subject to adjustment through indexation in subsequent years.
Hours of Activity (per fortnight)
Hours of Recognised Activities (per Fortnight)
The combined hours of work, training, study or other recognised activities undertaken per fortnight.
The hours of subsidised care the family is entitled to will be determined by the person with the lowest number of hours of activities per fortnight in the family.
Note: Parental or maternity leave (paid or unpaid) is counted as a recognised activity as long as you're expected to return to work after your leave ends. When including this as a recognised activity you should give Centrelink the hours you worked before you started your leave.
Refer to your letter of assessment from Centerlink.
The combined hours of work, training, study or other recognised activities undertaken per fortnight.
The hours of subsidised care the family is entitled to will be determined by the person with the lowest number of hours of activities per fortnight in the family.
Note: Parental or maternity leave (paid or unpaid) is counted as a recognised activity as long as you're expected to return to work after your leave ends. When including this as a recognised activity you should give Centrelink the hours you worked before you started your leave.
Refer to your letter of assessment from Centerlink.
What is your combined, annual taxable family income?
Fortnightly hours of activity
‘Recognised Activity’ includes work, study, training, looking for a job, paid and unpaid leave, travelling to and from work, lunch breaks, unpaid work in a family business, setting up a business, work experience and volunteering in the community.
What are the fortnightly hours of activity for the parent undertaking the least hours?
Children
How many children do or will you have in childcare?
Select the age group of your child
Does or will your child attend an Only About Children Campus?
Please select the campus they attend
Barangaroo South
What days do or will your child attend childcare?
Hours Per Day
Hours Per Day
These are not the hours of your child’s attendance but the provider’s operating hours
These are not the hours of your child’s attendance but the provider’s operating hours
Fees per day
Please provide the daily fee for your child's child care
Reference fees are base on 6 July 2026 fees
Calculating... Show Summary For
“If Week 1 and Week 2 estimates are different, the weekly total will be the average of the two weeks.”
Centrelink withholds 5% subsidy which is not included in this estimate. This is to help reduce the likelihood of you getting an overpayment. At the end of the financial year when Centrelink balance your payments, if you have not underestimated your family income you will receive the 5% withholding back.
Would you like us to email you the summary of your estimated CCS?
Please agree to proceed.
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How to use the calculator
- Find your CCS details: Check your CCS Percentage and Recognised Participation hours in your Centrelink online account through myGov, or on your Notice of Assessment. If you haven’t claimed yet, use your estimated annual family income. You can check who can receive CCS on the Services Australia website.
- Enter your family details: Add your CCS Percentage and your Recognised Participation hours per fortnight, or your estimated combined annual taxable family income.
- Add your child’s care needs: Choose your child’s age group, the days and hours of care you need and the daily fee. Existing Only About Children families can also select whether their child already attends an OAC campus.
- Review your estimate: Results from the Only About Children CCS calculator are estimates only. This can change depending on changes to your personal circumstances, daily fees or entitlements.