Childcare Subsidy
Effective July 2, 2018, the Child Care Subsidy and Additional Child Care Subsidy replaced the previous child care fee assistance payments (Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate). The Child Care Subsidy is generally paid directly to approved childcare providers to reduce the fees parents pay. To be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy, individuals must meet certain requirements,
- including the age of the child (13 or under and not attending secondary school),
- meeting immunization requirements,
- satisfying residency requirements.
Additionally, to be eligible, individuals must be liable to pay for care provided, the care must be delivered in Australia by an approved child care provider, and not be part of a compulsory education program. The level of Child Care Subsidy a family receives is determined by factors such as
- Combined Family Income
- the activity level of both parents
- the type of childcare service.
The Child Care Subsidy is paid directly to providers to reduce fees for families. Families will make a co-contribution to their childcare fees by paying the difference between the fee charged and the subsidy amount.
The Child Care Safety Net also provides additional fee assistance for vulnerable families.
You can apply for the Child Care Subsidy through your MyGov online account or by contacting Centrelink directly at 136 150. We require a Customer Reference Number (CRN) for your child and the parent who holds the Centrelink account.