Child Care Subsidy Calculator Australia
Estimate a standard or higher-rate Child Care Subsidy percentage, apply the July 2026 hourly rate cap and 72- or 100-hour fortnightly entitlement, then show the default-style withholding and family fee gap. This single-child session model does not test eligibility, care percentage, Additional Child Care Subsidy, absence rules, debts or balancing.
Build one child’s fortnight ticket
Eligibility comes before the dollar calculation
Child Care Subsidy generally requires an eligible child, approved care, liability for fees, residency and immunisation requirements, and sufficient care responsibility. A family must make a claim and keep enrolment and session information current. Selecting a rate or entitlement on this page does not establish any of those facts.
CCS is usually paid directly to the approved service, which reduces the amount the family pays. It is not generally a cash reimbursement calculated from receipts after the event. Provider session reports, enrolment details and the family’s Centrelink record drive official payments.
The standard percentage uses estimated family income
For 2026-27, Services Australia states that standard CCS is 90% for family income up to $88,520. Above that level and below $538,520, the percentage falls by one percentage point for each $5,000 of family income over $88,520. At $538,520 or more, the standard percentage is zero.
The page applies that relationship as a continuous planning formula and displays two decimal places. Official systems can use prescribed rounding and final adjusted taxable income. Families can still claim when their estimate is at or above the upper threshold so that entitlement can be determined at balancing if actual income is lower.
Higher CCS applies only to qualifying younger children
Families with more than one CCS-eligible child aged 5 or under may receive a higher percentage for one or more younger children. The standard rate child is usually the eldest eligible child aged 5 or under; eligible younger children can be higher rate children. The official system determines the family grouping and each child’s rate.
Current higher-rate bands include 95% up to $146,437, a decline to 80% by $191,437, a flat 80% band to $270,727, then a decline to 50% by $360,727. The higher rate is 50% below $370,727; at $370,727 or more, higher rates no longer apply and the child uses the standard percentage.
Combined families, shared care, changes in child age and overlapping sessions can affect which child is standard or higher. The selection is a what-if input, not a declaration of entitlement.
The hourly rate cap limits the subsidised fee basis
CCS applies to the lower of the service’s hourly fee and the government hourly rate cap. From July 2026, the below-school-age caps displayed by Services Australia are $15.19 for Centre Based Day Care, $13.30 for Family Day Care, $15.19 for Outside School Hours Care and $41.31 per family for In Home Care.
For children above school age, the published caps are $15.19 for Centre Based Day Care, $14.08 for Family Day Care, $13.30 for Outside School Hours Care and $41.31 per family for In Home Care. In Home Care is a per-family cap, so this single-child display cannot allocate it across multiple children or educators.
If a service charges $16.50 per hour and the cap is $15.19, the percentage applies to $15.19. The family remains responsible for the full difference above the cap in addition to its percentage gap. A daily fee must be divided by the number of hours in the session, which may differ from actual attendance time.
The 3 Day Guarantee changed subsidised hours
From 5 January 2026, all CCS-eligible families can receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, described as three days per week. This replaced the previous activity-test structure for the minimum entitlement. It guarantees subsidised hours, not a place at a service and not free care.
Families can receive 100 hours in certain circumstances, including more than 48 hours of recognised participation each fortnight, caring for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child, an approved exemption or certain Additional Child Care Subsidy situations. The calculator lets the user select 72 or 100 but does not assess the qualifying evidence.
Hourly basis: the lower of entered hourly fee and the July 2026 rate cap.
Gross subsidy: percentage multiplied by hourly basis and the lower of booked hours or entitlement.
Paid to service: gross subsidy less entered withholding; family gap is total booked fees less that amount.
Booked hours above entitlement receive no CCS in this model
The page compares booked session hours with 72 or 100 subsidised hours and applies CCS only to the smaller amount. Fees for hours above the selected entitlement are displayed separately. Real session reporting, allowable absences, session length rules and care across multiple services can change the official total.
The hour entitlement is per child per fortnight, while In Home Care caps and family circumstances can operate differently. Do not add 72 hours separately for multiple bookings that belong to the same child. Reconcile the provider’s session statement with the Centrelink entitlement.
Withholding deliberately increases the current gap
Services Australia normally withholds 5% of CCS each fortnight to reduce the risk of an overpayment when payments are balanced against actual family income. Families can change the withholding percentage within current administrative limits. The withheld amount is not paid to the service now, so it increases the displayed current fee gap.
At balancing, withheld amounts help cover any overpayment. If the family was entitled to more subsidy, an outstanding amount can be paid. This calculator does not forecast a balancing refund or debt because actual adjusted taxable income, sessions, eligibility and earlier payments are required.
Adjusted taxable income is broader than taxable income alone
Services Australia uses family adjusted taxable income, which can include taxable income plus or minus specified components such as reportable fringe benefits, reportable super contributions, total net investment losses, foreign income and tax-free pensions or benefits, subject to the official definition. A tax return’s taxable income line is not always the complete family estimate.
Update the estimate when work, business, investment, relationship or other circumstances change. Underestimating can create an overpayment debt, while overestimating can reduce fortnightly assistance until balancing. Keep evidence for both members of a couple where relevant.
The family fee gap is not simply 100% minus CCS
Even with a 90% percentage, a family can pay more than 10% of the invoice because fees above the cap, hours above entitlement and the withheld percentage are not subsidised in the current payment. Provider discounts, late fees, meals, transport, deposits and other charges can sit outside the hourly CCS basis.
Compare services using session length, hourly equivalent, cap, attendance needs, cancellation policy and likely absences, not only the advertised daily price. A lower session fee can still cost more if the booked hours poorly match work and travel needs.
Additional Child Care Subsidy is separate
Additional Child Care Subsidy supports specified situations such as child wellbeing, grandparents, temporary financial hardship and transition to work. It can use different percentages, caps, evidence and time limits. This page does not calculate ACCS and a user should not simulate it by entering 100% as a standard rate.
Families facing hardship or child-safety concerns should contact the service and Services Australia promptly. Backdating and evidence rules can matter. Providers also have responsibilities when applying for some ACCS categories.
Fortnight reconciliation checklist
| Record | Use | Mismatch to investigate |
|---|---|---|
| Family income estimate | Determines percentage | Taxable income entered without ATI adjustments |
| Child and family grouping | Determines standard or higher rate | Wrong child selected after birthday or care change |
| Service type and child age | Determines hourly cap | OSHC or Family Day Care cap swapped |
| Complying written arrangement | Defines booked sessions and fees | Daily price divided by attendance rather than session hours |
| Entitlement record | Limits subsidised hours | 72 hours assumed to mean a guaranteed place |
| Withholding setting | Changes amount paid to service now | Withheld amount treated as permanently lost |
| Balancing outcome | Uses actual annual income and payments | Fortnight estimate treated as final entitlement |
Frequently asked questions
Does every eligible family now get 72 hours?
Since 5 January 2026, eligible families get at least 72 subsidised hours per child per fortnight. This does not guarantee a service place or cover the whole fee.
Why is the hourly cap lower than my service fee?
The percentage applies to the lower of the fee or government cap. The family pays the full amount above the cap.
Who can get the higher CCS rate?
It generally applies to eligible younger children when a family has more than one CCS-eligible child aged 5 or under, subject to income and grouping rules.
Why is 5% withheld?
Withholding helps reduce overpayment risk when CCS is balanced against actual annual income. It reduces the amount paid to the service now.
Does 90% CCS mean I pay only 10%?
Not always. Above-cap fees, unsubsidised hours, withholding and non-CCS charges increase the current family gap.
Does this include Additional Child Care Subsidy?
No. ACCS categories have separate eligibility, evidence, rates and time rules.