Australia’s child care subsidy programme aids families in paying for child care. The system is intended to increase families’ access to and affordability of child care.
The number of children in care, the type of care being used, and the family’s income all play a role in determining eligibility for the subsidy. Families may qualify for a higher subsidy rate if their income falls within a particular range.
The subsidy is available to families in one of two ways:
Child Care Subsidy (CCS): This is a direct payment to the child care provider that is based on need. A family’s eligibility for CCS is determined by their income, the number of children in their care, and the type of care they utilize.
Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS): This is a direct payment to the family that is not means-tested. Depending on the number of children in care and the type of care being used, a family’s eligibility for ACCS varies.
There is a maximum number of hours per fortnight for CCS and ACCS. Families are eligible to receive up to 100 hours per fortnight for children under the age of six and up to 50 hours per fortnight for children between the ages of seven and twelve.
Through Centrelink, families can apply for the subsidy, which will be paid directly to the child care provider of their choice. To apply for their subsidy, they must send their activity statement and attendance records to Centrelink.
Overall, the goal of Australia’s child care subsidy system is to help families afford and access child care by offering financial support to offset the cost of care.
