At Pear Tree House, you are welcome to use of the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to help make child care more accessible and affordable for families.

The Child Care Subsidy is a financial assistance program provided by the Australian government to help families cover the cost of approved child care services. It’s designed to make child care more affordable and accessible for families with children under school age and eligible school-aged children attending before or after school care, vacation care, or other approved programs.

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Key Points about Child Care Subsidy:

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1. Income-Based Assistance: The CCS amount depends on family income; families with lower incomes receive a higher subsidy rate, making child care more affordable for those who need it most.

2. Activity Test: The amount of subsidized child care hours depends on the combined hours of work, study, volunteering, or other recognized activities that parents or guardians participate in.

3. Child Care Type and Age: The subsidy covers various forms of approved child care, including long day care, family day care, outside school hours care, and occasional care. The subsidy rate may also vary based on the age of the child and the type of care chosen.

4. Hourly Rate Caps: There are hourly rate caps for different types of child care, and the subsidy is calculated as a percentage of these caps. If the child care provider charges above the cap, families pay the difference.

5. Maximum Hours and Payments: Subsidized hours are capped based on the activity test results, with most families eligible for up to 100 hours per fortnight.

6. Eligibility: To be eligible, families must meet residency requirements, and children must be immunized according to the government’s schedule or have an approved exemption.

 

How CCS Works​

 

The subsidy is typically paid directly to child care providers, who then reduce the child care fees charged to families. This streamlined process allows families to benefit from lower out-of-pocket costs. Families receive detailed statements that outline the subsidy amount and any remaining balance to pay directly.

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How to Apply

 

Families can apply for CCS through Centrelink, often using the myGov online service. The application will require details about family income, activity levels, and information about the child care provider.