Fees, Rebates and Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Understanding Childcare Costs FAQs

• How do I apply for CCS?

  Create a myGov Account

  • Go to myGov and select Create an account.
  • Link your Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) to your myGov account

  Submit a CCS Claim

  • Sign in to your myGov account linked to Centrelink.
  • Navigate to My family > Child Care Subsidy summary.
  • Provide details about your child, your income estimate, and your childcare arrangements.

  Confirm Enrolment

  • Ask your childcare provider to submit your child’s enrolment.
  • Check and confirm the enrolment details through your Centrelink online account

• What factors impact my Child Care Subsidy percentage?

  There are three key factors that will determine how much Child Care Subsidy families may receive:

  • The combined family income – how much families earn
  • Your fortnightly family activity level – how much families work, train, study or volunteer
  • The fees charged by the childcare service

  Click here to use our Child Care Subsidy Estimator.

• What is the 3 Day Guarantee?

  From January 2026, Australian families will have access to at least 72 hours of subsidised early learning each fortnight. That’s three days of quality care every week, no matter your activity level. The 3 Day Guarantee provides more affordable early learning for more families. Learn more about the 3 Day Guarantee

  The 3 Day Guarantee goes even further for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families, offering 100 hours of subsidised early learning per fortnight for every child. 

• What is Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS)?

  The Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) provides extra help with fees to families facing barriers to childcare, including families experiencing temporary financial hardship and families caring for a child who is vulnerable or at risk. ACCS will usually cover all of a child’s childcare fees.  

  Read more about eligibility and requirements for ACCS on the Services Australia website.

• How does sibling discount work?

  If you have more than one child aged 5 or under, you may be eligible for a higher subsidy rate for your second and subsequent children.  

• What happens if my child is absent?

  Initial Absence Days

  Like most early learning centres and preschools, your child’s place is reserved when they are away so the day still needs to be paid for. Each financial year, the Family Assistance Office will pay your child’s CCS entitlements for the first 42 absence days. These absences can be for any reason, and the initial 42 days must be used before any additional absences can be claimed (please see below).

  Additional Absence Days

  You may receive CCS for absence days after the initial 42 days each financial year. For all absences beyond the first 42 absent days, CCS will only be paid if you are able to provide evidence to demonstrate the absence has occurred under permitted circumstances. There is no limit on these days, but you will be required to provide documentation to support the absence.

• Do I pay if we go on holiday?

  Normal fees apply for all absences that fall on a usual day of attendance unless the family provides written notice two weeks in advance to apply the holiday discount on the full fee. Holiday discount is available for up to four weeks of care per financial year. Under exceptional circumstances, holiday discount may be applied outside these requirements at the discretion of the Centre Director. Fee payments must be up to date to receive holiday discount. 

  Holiday Discounts

  • The Holiday Discount terms are as follows:
    • The Holiday Discount is 25% off the full child care fees for a child per financial year, based on the child’s routine booking at the time of application.
    • Holiday Discount is available for planned child absences from the centre up to four weeks. 

  • A family is eligible for Holiday Discount if: 
    • The family applies for the Holiday Discount by providing the completed Holiday Discount Form to Goodstart at least 14 days before the holiday start date.
    • The requested holiday sessions are within the remaining discount entitlement for the financial year for that child
    • There are no outstanding payments on the family’s account at the end of the week immediately before the week the child is on holidays;
    • A family is not entitled to any Holiday Discount in conjunction with any other discount or rebate offered by Goodstart.

  • The 25% Holiday Discount, based on attendance: 

    1 day attendance = 4 days per financial year

    2 days attendance = 8 days per financial year

    3 days attendance = 12 days per financial year

    4 days attendance = 16 days per financial year

    5 days attendance = 20 days per financial year

• How do I change my child's regular booked days?

  We will do everything possible to support the changing needs of families and their children. Two weeks’ written notice is required to change or cancel your child’s regular booked days of attendance. If your child does not attend their last sessions of care, you will be charged full fees for the days they are absent.

  Swap days

  If you would like to swap your child’s regular days, and the alternative days you want are available in the same week, this can be offered at your Centre Director’s discretion. We will notify you during the week prior if we are able to accommodate your request, as vacancies cannot be confirmed until this time. If your child does not attend on the requested alternative days, or if the requested alternative days are not available and your child does not attend on their regular days, your usual charges will apply for the absence.

  Additional days

  Additional days can be requested at any time and taken immediately if available. If unavailable, your request for additional days can be added to your centre’s waiting list.

  Casual days

  We offer families casual bookings which can be picked up at short notice. Casual days provide  families with extra flexibility and convenience, whether it’s for a single day or multiple days. This is especially helpful for families with irregular work schedules or those who need occasional extra care. Families can easily request a casual day booking via the Xap platform or by speaking to their Centre Director.