Child Care Subsidy News & Updates

The Australian Government Department of Education published the 2024–2025 (FY25) 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.

The family income limit to get CCS is increasing to $533,280.

CCS rates from 8 July 2024

Family income	Subsidy rate
$0 to $83,280	90%
More than $83,280 to below $533,280	Decreasing from 90% The percentage decreases by 1% for every $5,000 of income a family earns
$533,280 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 $362,408 or more.

Rates for second and younger children from 8 July 2024

Family income	Second and younger children subsidy rate
$0 to $141,321	95%
More than $141,321 to below $186,321	Decreasing from 95%The percentage decreases by 1% for every $3,000 of income a family earns
$186,321 to below $265,611	80%
$265,611 to below $355,611	Decreasing from 80%The percentage decreases by 1% for every $3,000 of income a family earns
$355,611 to below $365,611	50%
$365,611 or more	Higher CCS rates no longer apply, all children in the family will receive the standard CCS rate

2024–25 hourly rate caps

Care type	Hourly rate cap for children below school age	Hourly rate cap for school-age children
Centre Based Day Care	$14.29	$12.51
Outside School Hours Care	$14.29	$12.51
Family Day Care	$13.24	$13.24
In Home Care (per family)	$38.87	$38.87