The Child Care Subsidy or CCS is a payment from the Australian government to help families with the cost of child care. It makes child care more affordable so parents can work study or train. To understand how much subsidy you may receive a Child Care Subsidy Calculator is a useful tool.
Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Calculator
Estimate your approximate CCS and out-of-pocket child care cost. This is a simplified estimator — always confirm on Services Australia pages.
Notes
- Standard CCS percentage is determined by family income and tapers from the income threshold. See Services Australia for the official percentage table. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Your CCS is applied to the lower of your hourly fee and the Government hourly rate cap for that care type. Hourly caps and thresholds are indexed and may change (next change 7 July 2025). :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Families with multiple children may receive a higher CCS rate for second and younger children — this tool shows a standard estimate and indicates where higher rates may apply. For exact multi-child calculations refer to Services Australia. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Sources and notes: Standard CCS percentage and taper rules and higher child rules — Services Australia and Department of Education. Hourly rate caps and upcoming changes referenced from Department announcements. For official details see Services Australia and Department of Education pages.
- Services Australia — Your income can affect Child Care Subsidy. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- Services Australia — The type of child care you use affects CCS and hourly rate caps. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
- Department of Education announcement — CCS hourly rate caps change from 7 July 2025. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
- Higher rate children guidance — Services Australia. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
What is a Child Care Subsidy Calculator
A CCS Calculator is an online tool that estimates the amount of subsidy you can get for your child care costs. By entering details about your income child care usage and family situation the calculator shows your estimated subsidy amount.
Why Use the CCS Calculator
Using the calculator helps you
- Plan your budget for child care expenses
- Understand your eligibility for the subsidy
- Estimate how much financial help you will receive
- Make informed decisions about child care services
- Avoid surprises when paying child care fees
How Does the Child Care Subsidy Calculator Work
To use the calculator you provide information such as
- Your combined family income
- The type of child care service you use
- The number of hours of care needed per week
- Your activity level such as work study or training hours
- The age of your child or children
The calculator applies government rules to estimate your subsidy based on these factors.
Factors That Affect Your Subsidy
Several things influence how much CCS you get including
- Your family income
- The type and cost of child care service
- How many hours of care you use
- Your participation in approved activities
- The age of your child
Benefits of Using the CCS Calculator
- Quick estimate of your child care subsidy
- Helps with financial planning for families
- Supports decision making about child care options
- Increases awareness of government support
- Easy to use for parents and carers
Important Notes
- The calculator provides estimates not final subsidy amounts
- Your actual subsidy depends on Centrelink assessment
- Child care subsidy rules can change so use the latest calculator version
- Contact Centrelink for official information and advice