Child Care Subsidy Calculator
Affordable, trusted childcare that offers the quality your family needs.
At Saige Early Learning, we provide exceptional care and education in a nurturing environment where every child is celebrated. Our play-based, child-centred approach fosters a love for learning, encouraging children to explore, develop skills, and build confidence. We value diversity and inclusivity, creating a space where all children feel respected and supported. Our tailored programs align with the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), ensuring access to quality education that meets the unique needs of families. Discover how Saige Early Learning can help your child thrive while benefiting from CCS support for an enriching and affordable early education experience.
What is CCS?
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a government initiative that helps reduce child care costs for eligible families. The amount of assistance is determined by your family’s income, circumstances, and activity levels. To be eligible for CCS, you must be an Australian citizen or hold an eligible visa.
Key Elements of the Child Care Subsidy:
- Subsidy Percentage – The proportion of child care costs covered by the government (e.g., up to 85%).
- Approved Hours Per Fortnight – The total number of subsidised care hours allocated (e.g., 100 hours per fortnight).
The actual CCS amount is based on your family’s entitlement and the fees charged by your child care centre. Once approved, the subsidy is paid directly to the centre, and families are responsible for paying the remaining balance.
To estimate your CCS benefits, use our Child Care Subsidy Calculator below to quickly check your eligibility and plan your child care costs.
Useful FAQs
Who is eligible for CCS in NSW?
To be eligible for CCS, families must meet certain criteria. The child must be 13 years or younger and not attending secondary school. Both parents, or a single parent, must meet the work, training, study, or volunteering requirements. Families must also meet the income requirements set by the government. Additionally, the child care service must be approved by the government.
How do I apply for the Child Care Subsidy?
You can apply for CCS through your myGov account. Once your application is submitted, Services Australia will assess your eligibility and inform you of how much subsidy you can receive. You must also provide your details to Saige Early Learning to ensure the subsidy is applied to your fees.
How much CCS will I receive?
The exact amount of subsidy you will receive is calculated based on your family’s circumstances, including income, the number of children in care, and the type of care. You will be notified of your subsidy rate once Services Australia processes your application. Use the CCS calculator to find out how much you can save at Saige Early Learning.
What happens if my child is absent from care?
CCS is paid for a limited number of absences, up to 42 days per year. If your child is absent beyond this limit, additional absences may not be covered unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as illness or emergencies.
What if my income changes during the year?
It’s important to update your income details through your myGov account if your circumstances change. This ensures that your subsidy is adjusted accordingly. Failing to do so may result in an overpayment or underpayment of the subsidy.
Do I need to reapply for the Child Care Subsidy each year?
Yes, you will need to confirm your eligibility each year. Services Australia will send you a reminder to update your details before your current subsidy expires.
Can I get help with applying for CCS at Saige Early Learning?
Yes, our team at Saige Early Learning is happy to assist you with any questions about applying for the Child Care Subsidy. We can guide you through the process to ensure your fees are reduced. Click here to contact us today.
Preschool fee relief in long day care
If your child turns 4 years old on or before 31 July 2025 and is enrolled in a preschool program at an eligible long day care service, you will receive up to $2,174 in fee relief.
If your child is 3 years old and not yet 4 years old on or before 31 July 2025, and is enrolled in an eligible long day care service, you will receive up to $515 in fee relief.
This fee relief is provided through the 2025 Start Strong for Long Day Care program and will be passed on to you by your child’s service as a weekly reduction in your session fee or gap fee. The reduction will be reflected in your regular invoice or statement.
How Does This Affect the Child Care Subsidy?
The fee relief is in addition to the Child Care Subsidy provided by the Australian Government and does not affect your subsidy entitlement. It is not means-tested, and there are no residency or visa requirements. You will still be responsible for any remaining gap fees after both the subsidy and fee relief have been applied.
What Happens If My Child Starts Later in the Year?
Your weekly fee reduction remains the same, even if your child starts later in the year. This is because services must distribute the total fee relief evenly across the weeks they operate.
For example, if a service operates for 50 weeks in the year, the weekly reductions will be:
Up to $43.48 per week for children who are at least 4 years old on or before 31 July 2025
Up to $10.30 per week for children who are 3 years old and not yet 4 on or before 31 July 2025
If your child enrols in June, you will receive up to $43.48 or $10.30 per week from the start of their enrolment.
What If My Child is Sick and Misses a Day?
Fee relief is based on enrolment, not attendance. If your child is unwell and misses an enrolled day, your weekly fee relief amount does not change, and you will still receive the reduced fee.
What Information Do I Need to Provide?
To access fee relief, you will need to complete a fee relief declaration and consent form, which your child’s service will provide. This form gives permission for the service to share some of your child’s details with the NSW Department of Education and the Australian Government. The service will guide you through the process and explain how your information will be used.
Can I Receive Fee Relief from More Than One Service?
No, you can only receive fee relief from one service at a time. If your child attends preschool at multiple services, you will need to nominate one service to receive the fee relief. You must complete a fee relief declaration and consent form for your chosen service.
Click here for more information.
Book A Tour
After calculating your Child Care Subsidy, why not take the next step and see our centre in action? Book a tour today to explore our engaging learning spaces, meet our friendly educators, and discover how we can support your child’s growth and development. Let us help you make an informed choice for your family’s early learning journey!
Contact
P: (02) 4602 5515
Visit us
67-77 Lasso Rd
Gregory Hills, NSW 2557