CHILD CARE SUBSIDY CALCULATOR

  • Your Family
  • Your Children
  • Your Fee Estimation

In July 2023, the Australian Government increased the Child Care Subsidy.

Find out what your family might pay for early childhood education and care

Answer these questions to find out

Please describe your family

How many hours of work or another recognised activity do you do per fortnight?

What is your family's estimated Annual Income?

$

How many children will be attending a service?

Child 1

What is the age of your child?

What type of service will your child be attending?

What is the daily rate charged by your service?

 Or option to select: Use the national average for my type of service

How many hours are you charged per day on average?

 Or option to select: Use the national average for my type of service

What is the average number of days your child will attend a service per fortnight?

Commencing 10 July, the Australian Government made changes to the Child Care Subsidy, meaning most families will get more support. Some families previously not eligible for Child Care Subsidy will now get it.

The amount of Child Care Subsidy you get depends on your circumstances. These estimates are based on the information you provide. To learn more go to Child Care Subsidy - Services Australia.

What I might have to pay now

Your Summary

Weekly Fortnightly
What the Australian Government pays
What you pay

With the Australian Government's Child Care Subsidy changes now in effect, you will get $11.48 per week or $22.96 per fortnight more in support.

Disclaimer: This is calculated based on the rate you may have received from July 2023 without the child care subsidy changes, compared to what you may receive now because of the child care subsidy rate increase.

Services Australia's Payment and Service Finder gives a more comprehensive estimate across a range of payments, including:

  • Child Care Subsidy
  • Family Tax Benefit
  • Income Support Payments.

Childcare fee estimator / calculator

The childcare subsidy calculator above also calculates the childcare fees you pay - weekly, quarterly and annually.

When calculating this figure, it considers the childcare rate for all of your children, as well as the average time they spend in childcare.

Be aware that this is an estimation. The actual figure will vary depending on the amount of childcare actually attended by your child.

Childcare subsidy assessments

The childcare activity and childcare subsidy tests are undertaken to measure a household's circumstances. The outcome of these tests are used to determine to what extent a family's childcare costs will be subsidised.

Childcare subsidy income test

The rebate income test is used to work out your eligibility for the childcare subsidy, as well as what portion will be subsidised.

Many items from your tax return are analysed in this test, however, as your income increases, your childcare subsidy generally decreases, visa versa.

Centrelink childcare subsidy activity test

The activity test determines how many hours of subsidised childcare a family qualifies for. This three-step activity test looks at the amount of hours each parent is engaged in recognised activity. The parent engaged in the least hours of recognised activity per week is then used to determine the subsidy.

Although there are exemptions, recognised activity is usually restricted to:

  • Paid work
  • Self-employment
  • Work in your family business that does not pay
  • Courses and training that provide you with skills, making you more employable.
  • Approved education, studies and courses
  • Volunteer work
  • Unpaid internships or apprenticeships
  • Active job seeking
  • Setting up your own business

New childcare subsidy / rebate calculator changes 2019

The Childcare Subsidy (CCS) and Additional Childcare Subsidy (ACCS) replaced the Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate in June 2018.

The Additional Childcare Subsidy (ACCS) is designed to support children who need assistance most. This includes those that are abused, neglected, or in difficult financial positions.

According to the Department of education, the new system will provide increased subsidies to over 70% of Australian families. On the other hand, 24% of families are said to receive decreased subsidies.