From July 2023 most families using child care will get more CCS. Here’s what you need to know:
The maximum amount of CCS is increasing from 85% to 90%.
Families earning $80,000 or less will get 90% subsidy.
Families earning over $80,000 and under $530,000 will get a subsidy that tapers down from 90%, depending on their income. The subsidy will go down by 1% for each $5,000 earned.
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 when the changes occur on 10 July 2023. The higher rate for second and younger children will end when a family earns $362,408 or more. All children will then receive the standard CCS rate. (Updated on 01/03/2023)
CCS rates have increased in line with the Consumer Price Index.
Child Care Subsidy (CCS) rates are adjusted each July based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the previous December.
The following rates will take effect the first day of the CCS fortnight, which is 11 July 2022:
Combined annual income
The amount of CCS a family can get depends on their combined annual income.
New CCS family income thresholds
Subsidy %
Up to $72,466
85%
More than $72,466 to below $177,466
Decreasing to 50%Subsidy gradually decreases by 1% for each $3000 of family income.
$177,466 to below $256,756
50%
$256,756 to below $346,756
Decreasing to 20% Subsidy gradually decreases by 1% for each $3000 of family income.
$346,756 to below $356,756
20%
$356,756 or more
0%
Hourly rate cap
The maximum hourly rate we subsidise is based on the type of service.
Service type
New hourly rate cap (children below school age)
New hourly rate cap (school-aged children)
Centre Based Day Care
$12.74
$11.15
Outside School Hours Care
$12.74
$11.15
Family Day Care
$11.80
$11.80
In Home Care (per family)
$34.64
$34.64
The 26-week rule
The 26-week rule has started. Children who haven’t used care at least once in the previous 26 weeks will no longer be eligible for CCS. Families can submit a new claim if their child recommences care.
Allowable absences
Allowable absences have reset. Children have 52 absences for the 2022–23 financial year.
Higher CCS for combined families
Combined families can now get the higher CCS.
The higher CCS recognises diverse family circumstances, including combined families. A combined family is where each parent or carer gets CCS for different children in their family.
The Child Care Subsidy System is being enhanced to recognise combined families from July 2022.
Services Australia will backpay the higher subsidy amount to affected families for the period March to July.
Some combined families may notice a higher rate from March 2022. This will occur if one member of the couple is CCS-eligible for more than one child age 5 or under in care. Services Australia will reassess the family’s eligibility as a whole from July 2022 and backpay any higher subsidy due for the period between March and July.
Combined families who want to get the higher subsidy before July 2022 can choose one member of the couple to claim CCS for all children. That individual will need to make a new CCS claim. Families should do this as soon as possible because claims can only be backdated for a maximum of 28 days.
If a family takes up this option, you must update the family’s enrolments. Enrolments must reflect the individual who is now claiming CCS for all children.
Combined families do not have to take up this option. They can simply wait until July 2022 to get the higher subsidy rate. These families will be back paid their full higher subsidy entitlement for the period March to July.
From 11 July, a child who hasn’t used care at least once in the previous 26 weeks will no longer be eligible for CCS.
If a child has not attended care since 10 January 2022, their CCS will cancel from 11 July. The rule will apply on an ongoing basis from this date. Families will need to submit a new CCS claim if the child re-commences care.
Services Australia will notify impacted families. Child care centres do not need to take action.
Services Australia will not raise CCS debts when applying the 26-week rule. Any changes to CCS entitlement will only apply from the date of cancellation.
Will the rule impact a family’s higher CCS?
Families with more than one child aged 5 or under in care can get a higher CCS for their second child and younger children.
The 26-week rule may affect a family’s entitlement to the higher CCS.
If a standard rate child’s CCS eligibility ends, Services Australia will reassess all other children in the family to determine:
the new standard rate child
new subsidy rates.
If a child starts to attend care again, after their CCS was cancelled, the family can lodge a new claim for CCS.
The 26-week rule will not affect any backpay made to combined families for any higher subsidy they were eligible for between 7 March and 30 June 2022.