Child Care Subsidy Calculator

The Child Care Subsidy Calculator helps Sydney families estimate how much financial support they could receive under the Australian Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) program. Whether you’re comparing long day care centres, family day care or preschool programs, this tool gives you a clear idea of what your weekly out-of-pocket childcare costs might be — so you can plan with confidence.

Use the calculator below to see how your income, activity hours and childcare fees combine to determine your subsidy rate.

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How the Child Care Subsidy Works

The Child Care Subsidy is the main way the Australian Government helps families make early learning more affordable. It reduces the amount you pay directly to your approved childcare provider.

Your CCS percentage depends on several key factors:

• Your combined family income – determines your subsidy percentage.
• Your activity hours – such as work, study or volunteering, which set the maximum hours subsidised per fortnight.
• The hourly rate cap – a government-set maximum used to calculate your eligible subsidy.
• The type of service – long day care, family day care, OSHC or preschool may have different hourly caps.

The subsidy is paid directly to your childcare service, reducing your gap fee — the amount you pay after subsidy.

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How to Use the Child Care Subsidy Calculator

To get your estimate, simply enter:

1. Your family’s combined income (before tax)
2. Your expected activity hours (per fortnight)
3. The daily fee charged by your childcare service
4. Your child’s weekly attendance pattern

Then click Calculate to view your estimated CCS percentage and the amount you may receive each week.

The results will show your approximate out-of-pocket cost per day and per week based on your inputs.

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Understanding Your Results

The Child Care Subsidy Calculator provides an estimate only — your actual CCS payment will be confirmed by Services Australia after you submit an application and link your childcare service.

Your result shows:

• Estimated CCS rate – the percentage of childcare fees covered
• Estimated CCS amount – how much the government contributes
• Estimated gap fee – what you’ll pay after the subsidy

Keep in mind that your final amount can change if your income, activity level or childcare hours vary during the year. Families are encouraged to keep their Centrelink details up to date to avoid over- or under-payments.

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How the Subsidy Reduces Fees

Let’s look at a simple example to show how the Child Care Subsidy Calculator can help estimate savings.

Scenario:
A Sydney family with a combined annual income of $120,000 has one child attending long day care three days a week. The centre charges $145 per day.

According to current CCS rates (2025):

• The family’s CCS percentage is approximately 85%.
• The government pays 85% of the hourly rate cap, which for long day care is around $14.29/hour.
• Based on an 11-hour day, the eligible subsidy is about $133.66 per day.

Estimated out-of-pocket cost:
$145 – $133.66 = $11.34 per day, or roughly $34 per week.

This shows how dramatically the subsidy can reduce the cost of quality early education — and how families with multiple children may benefit even more under CCS higher rates for second and younger children.

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Tips to Maximise Your Child Care Subsidy

The calculator gives a clear snapshot, but these steps can help families make the most of their entitlement:

• Keep your income estimate current – Update MyGov promptly if your circumstances change.
• Log all eligible activity hours – Work, study, volunteering and job search can all count toward CCS hours.
• Review your session times – Shorter sessions may fit better under the hourly cap, improving your effective subsidy.
• Check your provider’s hourly rate – If their fees exceed the hourly cap, the subsidy only applies up to that limit.
• Reconfirm details annually – Families must reconfirm CCS each financial year to keep payments active.

These small steps ensure you receive the correct amount and avoid unexpected adjustments.

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Child Care Subsidy Calculator – FAQs

Q: How accurate is the Child Care Subsidy Calculator?
A: The calculator provides an estimate based on your inputs and the latest CCS thresholds. For an exact figure, apply through Services Australia once your enrolment is confirmed.

Q: Can I use the calculator for multiple children?
A: Yes. Enter each child’s care pattern separately. The CCS percentage may increase for your second and younger children.

Q: Does it apply to all childcare types?
A: Yes — long day care, family day care, outside school hours care (OSHC) and preschools operating under approved providers are all eligible.

Q: Do I need to apply before using childcare?
A: You can use the calculator anytime, but you’ll need to complete a CCS claim via MyGov before subsidies are applied to your fees.

Q: Is the Child Care Subsidy available to all families in Sydney?
A: CCS is a national program available across Australia. Eligibility is based on income, activity, and residency — not postcode.

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Final Summary and Next Step

Understanding the Child Care Subsidy can make a huge difference to your family budget. Use the Sydney Child Care Subsidy Calculator above to estimate your potential savings and explore how CCS supports access to affordable, high-quality early education.

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