On 11 December 2024, the Australian Government announced changes to how subsidised hours are calculated for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).
This change is part of the government’s pathway toward a universal early education and care system.
Legislation to enact this measure passed Parliament and is awaiting Royal Assent.
From 5 January 2026:
- all CCS eligible families will get 3 days’ subsidised care each week for each child
- families caring for First Nations children will get 100 hours of subsidised care each fortnight for each child.
Families will still get 100 hours of subsidised care each fortnight for each child if they:
- work, train, study or volunteer for more than 48 hours each fortnight, or
- have an exemption.
How much CCS families can get depends on their circumstances, including:
- their combined family income
- hourly rate caps
- number of children in their care
- age of children in their care.
The department will now work with Services Australia to ensure child care providers and families are ready for the change in January next year.