1800 244 532
Find a Centre
1800 244 532

The Child Care Subsidy

Supporting Access to Premium Early Education for Australian Families

At Papilio Early Learning, we believe that every child should have access to high-quality early education - regardless of their family’s circumstances. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a government initiative that helps reduce the cost of child care for eligible families, making premium early learning more affordable.

With the proposed 3-day guarantee, more families than ever before could benefit from subsidised care - regardless of how much work, study, or volunteering they do.

What is the Child Care Subsidy?

The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is financial support provided by the Australian Government to help families with the cost of early childhood education and care. It is paid directly to approved child care providers like Papilio, reducing your out-of-pocket fees.

Your CCS percentage is calculated based on:

  • Your family’s combined income
  • The number of hours you work, study, train, or volunteer
  • The type of approved service your child attends

Families pay only the remaining “gap” fee after the subsidy is applied.

What Is the 3-Day Guarantee?

In February 2025, the Australian Government introduced legislation for a 3-Day Guarantee - a major step toward making early childhood education more accessible for all families.

If the legislation is passed, from 5 January 2026:

  • All Child Care Subsidy (CCS)-eligible families will receive at least 72 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight (equal to three days per week), regardless of their activity level.
  • Families of First Nations children will be eligible for up to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
  • Families already engaging in 48 or more hours of recognised activity per fortnight will continue to receive up to 100 hours of subsidised care per child.

This proposed change is designed to support more families by improving access to affordable child care across Australia. We'll continue to update this page as more information becomes available and the legislation progresses.

Am I Eligible for the Child Care Subsidy?

To be eligible for CCS, you must:

  • Have a child under 13 enrolled in an approved service like Papilio Early Learning
  • Be an Australian citizen or hold an eligible visa
  • Meet the activity test (or benefit from the proposed 3-day guarantee)
  • Ensure your child’s immunisations are up to date

Check your eligibility and apply through MyGov.

How to Apply for the Child Care Subsidy

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility & Apply via MyGov

  • Log into your MyGov account and link it to Centrelink
  • Submit a CCS claim with income and activity details
  • Receive your CCS percentage and entitlements

Step 2: Contact Papilio & Discuss Fees

  • Call our Family Support Team on 1800 244 532 to find your nearest Papilio centre and learn about daily fees

Step 3: Estimate Your Out-of-Pocket Costs

  • Use our Child Care Subsidy Calculator to estimate your weekly fees after CCS

Step 4: Confirm Your Enrolment

  • Once you enrol, log in to MyGov to approve your child’s CCS enrolment

Need help? Our Family Support Team is here to guide you. Call us at 1800 244 532.

Estimate Your Child Care Costs

Use our Child Care Subsidy Calculator to estimate your fees after your CCS is applied.

Before using the calculator, make sure you:

  • Confirm your CCS percentage in MyGov
  • Call 1800 244 532 to check daily fees at your preferred centre
Please note

This is only an estimate of how much your family might pay for early childhood education and care. To confirm your eligibility and receive your subsidy, you must update your details for each child through your Centerlink - MyGov Account.

Children

Please note: If you have more than one child aged 5 or under in child care, eligible higher rate children will receive a 30% higher subsidy, up to a maximum 95%

$

Subsidy

%
hrs
$40,000
$530,000.00+
$
%
hrs

Maximising Your CCS Benefits

  • 3-Day Guarantee (Proposed): Receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight - regardless of activity level
  • Higher CCS for second children: Families with more than one child under five may receive a higher subsidy for the second child
  • Work, study or volunteer more to increase your hours: Over 48 hours of recognised activity per fortnight can unlock up to 100 hours of subsidised care
  • Low-income families: Families earning under $80,000 may receive up to 90% off child care fees

Want to get the most from your CCS? Call 1800 244 532 for personalised guidance.

Why Choose Papilio Early Learning?

  • We’re an approved CCS provider
  • Flexible session times to suit your family’s needs and maximise CCS
  • All-inclusive daily fees with nutritious meals, high-quality learning programs, and nappies included
  • Personalised CCS support and a seamless enrolment experience
  • Premium early education guided by our exclusive Lifelong Learning Curriculum

Ready to get started? Find your nearest Papilio and book a tour today!

Have Questions? Contact Us!

Call our Family Support Team at 1800 244 532 – we’re here to help!

PapStrathBlue-689