Sherpa Kids

Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Find out how the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) can help reduce your childcare fees. Learn about eligibility, estimated savings and how CCS can be used across our Rise then Shine, Stay and Play, and Holiday HQ programs.

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Understanding the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is the Australian Government's primary childcare assistance program, designed to help eligible families reduce the cost of care. Depending on your family's circumstances and combined household income, CCS may cover up to 90% of childcare fees, making quality care more accessible and affordable.

With CCS, more families can enjoy access to our engaging programs at a reduced cost, including:

  • Rise then Shine before school care

  • Stay and Play after school care

  • Holiday HQ school holiday programs

The subsidy is paid directly to us on your behalf, helping to lower the amount you pay out of pocket for each sessio

Why Families Use CCS

  • Lower Your Out-of-Pocket Costs

    CCS is paid directly to OSHClub on your behalf before fees are charged, helping reduce the amount you pay for each session.

  • Access More Care When You Need It

    From early morning starts to after-school care and school holiday coverage, CCS helps more families access flexible programs that fit around work, study and everyday commitments.

  • Enjoy Quality Experiences for Less

    Children can participate in enriching activities, build friendships and learn through play in a safe, supportive environment, all while helping families keep childcare expenses manageable.

  • Easy to Manage

    Once your CCS is linked to your account, payments are applied automatically. There are no ongoing claims to submit, making budgeting and fee management simpler.

The 3 Day Guarantee

From 5 January 2026, all CCS-eligible families can access at least 72 subsidised hours of childcare each fortnight, regardless of how many hours they work, study or volunteer.

What does this mean for your family? More families can access childcare at their CCS-reduced rate, helping make Before School Care, After School Care and Holiday Programs more affordable.

For example, if your child attends Stay and Play After School Care every weekday, you'll generally remain within the 72-hour allowance and continue paying the subsidised CCS rate rather than the full session fee. Many families will also have hours available for Rise then Shine Before School Care or Holiday HQ bookings.

It's a simple change that gives families greater access to affordable care, more flexibility when they need childcare, and greater confidence that eligible bookings can continue to receive CCS support.

Estimate Your Child Care Costs with CCS

Depending on your family's circumstances and eligibility, CCS may cover up to 90% of your fees, helping make Before School Care, After School Care and Holiday Programs more affordable.

As a guide:

  • Households earning up to $88,520 may pay as little as $3.50 per session

  • Households earning between $88,521 and $188,520 may pay approximately $3.85 to $10.50 per session

  • The average local household income is $121,108, meaning many families may be eligible for significant savings through CCS

The table shows how household income may affect your CCS entitlement and estimated out-of-pocket costs for a typical session.

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Child Care Subsidy Explained

Check out this video by Services Australia for more information on CCS and your eligibility.

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CCS Eligibility & Recognised Activities

The amount of subsidy your family may receive is based on a number of factors, including your household income, the type of care you use, and the recognised activities completed by you and your partner.

Your entitlement may be influenced by:

  • Your combined family income

  • The type of care you access, including Before School Care, After School Care and Holiday Programs

  • The number of recognised activity hours completed by you and your partner

To be eligible for subsidy, you must participate in a recognised activity. These activities help determine the number of subsidised care hours your family can access.

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You may meet the activity requirements through:

Recognised Work Activities

  • Paid employment, including self-employment

  • Paid or unpaid leave, including parental leave

  • Unpaid work in a family business

  • Unpaid work experience or internships

Recognised Study & Community Activities

  • Approved education or study programs

  • Training to improve employment opportunities

  • Recognised volunteer work

  • Actively looking for work

  • Other approved activities assessed on a case-by-case basis

Need More information

Looking for more information about the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)? Explore official government resources to estimate your potential savings, understand your eligibility, and learn how to apply. These tools can help you better understand your childcare costs and the support available to your family.

CCS Calculator

Estimate your CCS rate.

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Services Australia

Find out more on CCS on the Service Australia website

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Questions Parents Ask Most

  • CCS is paid directly to OSHClub so families only pay the difference between the subsidy and fee charged. This ensures there are no additional out of pocket fees. You will need to complete an assessment for CCS before each child starts attending care.

Time to Apply for Child Care Subsidy