Child Care Subsidy Calculator
Estimate your CCS percentage, fortnightly subsidy and gap fee with 2025-26 rates, hourly caps and the 3 Day Guarantee.
Your Family and Care Details
Your family's adjusted taxable income estimate for 2025-26 (you and your partner combined).
Session fee divided by session hours. The 2025-26 hourly rate cap for your selection is $14.63.
E.g. 3 days a week of 12-hour sessions = 72 hours a fortnight.
Rates: 2025-26 (effective 7 July 2025; hours rules from 5 January 2026). From 5 January 2026 the activity test was replaced by the 3 Day Guarantee — every CCS family gets at least 72 hours of subsidised care a fortnight.
Results
Your CCS percentage
Standard rate, applied to the lower of your fee and the hourly cap
Subsidy per fortnight
$738.57 paid to your service after 5% withholding ($38.87 withheld until reconciliation)
Gap fee per fortnight
About $197.43 during the year while 5% is withheld
Annual subsidy
On total fees of $24,336 a year
Estimate only — Services Australia determines your actual rate from your confirmed income at reconciliation. Not modelled: In Home Care (subsidised per family at $39.80/hour), Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS), and preschool exemptions. The higher rate requires another CCS-eligible child aged 5 or under in the family.
Guide & Information
Overview
Simplify your calculations with our Child Care Subsidy Calculator optimized for Australia users.
💡 Tips
- •Double-check your input values
- •Understand what each field represents
- •Use the results as a starting point for decisions
Why Use This Child Care Subsidy Calculator
Accurate calculations save time and help make better decisions.
Regulations: Complies with current Australia regulations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use this Child Care Subsidy Calculator?
Simply enter the required values and click calculate. The tool will instantly provide results based on Australia standards.
Can I save my calculations?
You can bookmark this page with your values or take a screenshot of results for future reference.
Is this calculator free to use?
Yes, all our calculators are completely free and available 24/7 for Australia users.
Frequently asked questions
How much Child Care Subsidy will I get in 2025-26?
If your family earns $85,279 or less, you get 90% of your fees subsidised (up to the hourly rate cap). The percentage falls by 1% for every $5,000 of family income above that, reaching 0% at $535,279. For example, a family on $120,000 gets 83.06%. Services Australia withholds 5% of the subsidy during the year and squares up after tax time.
What is the 3 Day Guarantee?
From 5 January 2026 the CCS activity test was abolished. Every CCS-eligible family now gets at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight (three days a week), regardless of how much they work, study or volunteer. Families get 100 hours if they have more than 48 hours of recognised participation a fortnight, are caring for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child, have an exemption, or receive Additional Child Care Subsidy.
What are the CCS hourly rate caps for 2025-26?
Centre Based Day Care and Outside School Hours Care: $14.63 an hour for children below school age and $12.81 for school-aged children. Family Day Care: $13.56 for all ages. In Home Care: $39.80 per family. Your CCS percentage applies to the lower of your actual fee and the cap — anything your service charges above the cap is fully out of pocket.
How does the higher CCS rate for a second child work?
If you have more than one CCS-eligible child aged 5 or under, your second and younger children get a higher rate — 95% for family incomes up to $143,273, tapering in steps to 50%, and ending at $367,563 of income. The eldest child stays on the standard income-tested rate. The higher rate usually stops when the elder child turns 6 or loses CCS eligibility.
Why do I still pay a gap fee if my subsidy is 90%?
Three reasons: the percentage applies to the hourly rate cap rather than your full fee when your service charges above the cap; Services Australia withholds 5% of your entitlement during the year; and any hours above your 72- or 100-hour fortnightly cap attract no subsidy at all. Together these mean a "90% subsidy" often covers noticeably less than 90% of the bill.
Is the Child Care Subsidy means tested on assets?
No. CCS is tested only on your family's combined adjusted taxable income — there is no assets test. But you must keep your income estimate current: if you underestimate, the 5% withholding may not cover the overpayment and you will get a debt at reconciliation after you lodge your tax return.