We have support for early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers, services and families facing difficult or challenging circumstances.
On this page:
Additional Child Care Subsidy
The Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) provides extra help with the cost of ECEC to families facing difficult or challenging circumstances. ACCS will usually cover all of a child’s ECEC fees.
Learn about the Additional Child Care Subsidy
Community Child Care Fund
Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) grants help providers and services address barriers to ECEC participation. They’re particularly for disadvantaged, regional and remote, and Indigenous communities.
Learn about the Community Child Care Fund
Inclusion Support Program
The Inclusion Support Program (ISP) helps services address barriers to inclusion. It helps children with additional needs participate in ECEC through tailored support and funding to services.
Learn about the Inclusion Support Program
Help in an emergency
Help is available for families and services in an emergency, like bushfires, cyclones, or floods. Support includes gap fee waivers, extra absences and support for service closures.
Learn about how to get help in an emergency
Activity test for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children
Families can get at least 36 hours of Child Care Subsidy (CCS) per fortnight for each Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child in their care. This is regardless of their family’s activity level.
Learn about the activity test for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children
Domestic violence support
Help is available for families experiencing domestic violence. Support includes:
- Additional Child Care Subsidy
- Exceptions to paying the gap fee using EFT
- Allowable and additional absences at the start and end of an enrolment.
Financial support services
The Australian Government provides support to individuals and families navigating financial crises, stress or hardship. You may wish to direct families to the following free, confidential support services: