The Australian Government Department of Education published the 2025–2026 (FY2026) CCS family eligibility and entitlement information including the CCS rates & CCS hourly rate caps. Families can use the CCS Calculator at www.childcaresubsidycalculator.com.au to find out what their future rates may be.
Who can get CCS?
Families must meet eligibility criteria to get CCS.
Parents must:
- care for their child at least 2 nights per fortnight or have 14% share of care
- be liable for child care fees at an approved child care service
- meet residency requirements.
Their child must:
- meet immunisation requirements
- not be attending secondary school (unless an exemption applies)
- be 13 or under (except in certain circumstances).
If a child doesn’t attend a session of care at least once in 26 consecutive weeks, they will stop being eligible for CCS. If a child starts to attend care again, a family can make a new claim for CCS.
How much CCS can a family get?
The amount of CCS a family can get depends on their circumstances.
Services Australia works out a family’s CCS percentage based on their family income estimate.
A family’s CCS subsidy rate is the percentage of the hourly rate the government will subsidise. It will apply to the hourly fee or the relevant hourly rate cap, whichever is lower.
The family income limit to get CCS for FY2026 is increasing to $535,279.
CCS rates from 7 July 2025
| Family income | Subsidy rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $85,279 | 90% |
| More than $85,279 to below $535,279 | Between 90% and 0%The percentage decreases by 1% for every $5,000 of income a family earns |
| $535,279 or more | 0% |
Number of children in care
Families with more than one child aged 5 or under in care can get a higher subsidy for their second child and younger children.
The rates for each child are worked out using two separate income tests.
The ‘standard rate child’ is usually the eldest CCS eligible child aged 5 or under. The standard rate child will get the standard CCS rates.
The ‘higher rate child’ is the second and any younger children aged 5 or under. The higher rate for second and younger children is calculated using the for second and younger children.
The higher subsidy for second and younger children will end when a family earns $367,563 or more.
Rates for second and younger children from 7 July 2025
| Family income | Second and younger children subsidy rate |
|---|---|
| $0 to $143,273 | 95% |
| More than $143,273 to below $188,273 | Decreasing from 95%The percentage decreases by 1% for every $3,000 of income a family earns |
| $188,273 to below $267,563 | 80% |
| $267,563 to below $357,563 | Decreasing from 80%The percentage decreases by 1% for every $3,000 of income a family earns |
| $357,563 to below $367,563 | 50% |
| $367,563 or more | Higher CCS rates no longer apply, all children in the family will receive the standard CCS rate |
2025–2026 hourly rate caps
| Care type | Hourly rate cap for children below school age | Hourly rate cap for school-age children |
|---|---|---|
| Centre Based Day Care | $14.63 | $12.81 |
| Outside School Hours Care | $14.63 | $12.81 |
| Family Day Care | $13.56 | $13.56 |
| In Home Care (per family) | $39.80 | $39.80 |
Shared care
If a child’s parents are separated, both parents may be eligible for CCS if they:
- share care responsibilities, and
- are each liable for child care fees.
Each parent must lodge their own CCS claim. They will each need to meet the eligibility criteria outlined above.
The amount of CCS each parent can get will depend on their income and activity level as outlined above. Where a parent has re-partnered, their partner’s income and activity level will also be taken into account.
Combined families, with children from a current and previous relationship, are counted as a single family unit when determining entitlement to the higher rate for second and younger children.
Separated parents can find more information on the Services Australia website.