Child Care Subsidy Calculator 2026–27
Estimate your Child Care Subsidy rate and what you'll pay out of pocket for child care each day, week and fortnight.
Printed from ClearCalc (clearcalc.com.au/child-care-subsidy-calculator/). Estimates only, not financial advice.
How the Child Care Subsidy works in 2026–27
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is paid by the government straight to your child care service, which takes it off your fees. How much you get depends on three things:
- Your family income. Families earning up to $88,520 get the maximum 90%. The rate falls by 1 percentage point for each $5,000 of income above that, reaching 0% at around $533,000.
- The hourly rate cap. The subsidy is a percentage of your hourly fee or the cap, whichever is lower.
- Subsidised hours. Under the 3 Day Guarantee, which started in January 2026, every eligible family gets at least 72 subsidised hours a fortnight per child, regardless of work or study. Families where both parents do more than 48 hours of activity a fortnight can get 100 hours.
Hourly rate caps from 6 July 2026
| Type of care | Below school age | School age |
|---|---|---|
| Centre-based day care | $15.19 | $13.30 |
| Family day care | $14.08 | $14.08 |
| Outside school hours care | $15.19 | $13.30 |
| In-home care (per family) | $41.31 | $41.31 |
Higher rate for second and younger children
Families with more than one child aged 5 or under in care can get a higher rate for the second and younger children: your standard rate plus 30 percentage points, up to 95%. It applies to family incomes below about $367,000.
This is an estimate. Your actual CCS is worked out by Services Australia, and your services may charge for hours you don't use. Check your entitlement in your Centrelink online account.
Frequently asked questions
How much CCS will I get on $150,000?
A family income of $150,000 gets a 77% subsidy rate in 2026–27 for a first child. A second child aged 5 or under can get 95%.
Why is my out-of-pocket cost higher than expected?
Most centres charge for a 10 to 12 hour day, and many daily fees are above the hourly rate cap. The subsidy only applies to the capped rate, and only for your subsidised hours.
Why is 5% withheld?
Services Australia holds back 5% of your subsidy to reduce the chance of a debt if your income turns out higher than estimated. It's paid to you after you lodge your tax return and your CCS is reconciled.
Last reviewed October 2026. This calculator gives an estimate for general information only. Check important figures with the relevant government agency or a licensed professional.