Child Care Subsidy Calculator
Estimate your child care costs
The Child Care Subsidy, or CCS, can help reduce your child care fees.
Use this calculator to estimate your out-of-pocket childcare cost, as well as any kindergarten or preschool funding that may apply in your state.
For a more accurate estimate, have your family income, CCS percentage, subsidised hours, preferred centre, child’s age and care days ready.
Find out how much Child Care Subsidy you could be entitled to with our quick and easy calculator.
CCS Calculator results
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Step 1: Activity test
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Step 2: Family information & financial state
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Step 3: Children & child care information
No change to your fees
You’re already eligible for 3+ days of subsidised care.
Total Fees
$0.00Estimated CCS Fee Subsidy
$0.00Kindergarten / Preschool Subsidy
$0.00Out of Pocket Cost (what you pay)
$0.00No change to your fees
You’re already eligible for 3+ days of subsidised care.
Total Fees
$0.00Estimated CCS Fee Subsidy
$0.00Kindergarten / Preschool Subsidy
$0.00Out of Pocket Cost (what you pay)
$0.00No change to your fees
You’re already eligible for 3+ days of subsidised care.
Total Fees
$0.00Estimated CCS Fee Subsidy
$0.00Kindergarten / Preschool Subsidy
$0.00Out of Pocket Cost (what you pay)
$0.00Matrix Out-of-Pocket Cost
Is your CCS working for you? Check the out-of-pocket cost matrix per child against session lengths and weekly days below. Please note: The below table only shows out-of-pocket costs after CCS (Child Care Subsidy).
| Child 1 | 1 day | 2 days | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 hour session | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 10 hour session | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 12 hour session | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
*Note: 11 hour, 11.5 hour & 12 hour session lengths are full day sessions. Please check with your centre as to their full day operating hours so that you can compare above. All G8 Education calculators take into consideration the Federal Government’s 5% withholding in your estimated CCS calculation.
Kindergarten/preschool subsidy is subject to State Government specific requirements including child age eligibility criteria and the delivery of the funded program by an Early Childhood Teacher on the day the subsidy is claimed by the family. NSW Preschool Fee Relief is effective from 1st January 2026. Calculations herein are based on the assumption all eligibility criteria is met. Please contact the centre for detailed information.
This calculator is provided as a guide only. It is dependent on the accuracy of information added, including hours the child is eligible for and incomes entered. Changes in entitlements can also occur for a family between completing the estimation and commencing at an Early Education and Care Centre.
About your estimate
Your estimate is not an official Child Care Subsidy assessment.
Services Australia decides:
- if you are eligible for CCS
- your approved CCS percentage
- how many subsidised hours you can use
- whether any higher subsidy applies
- how your subsidy is paid
Your subsidy is usually paid directly to your child care provider. This reduces the amount you pay.
Our team can help explain your fee estimate once your CCS details are confirmed.
Child Care Subsidy income thresholds
For the 2026–27 income year, Services Australia says the standard Child Care Subsidy rate is:
- 90% for families earning $88,520 or less
- between 90% and 0% for families earning more than $88,520 and less than $538,520
- 0% for families earning $538,520 or more
If your family earns more than $88,520 and less than $538,520, your percentage reduces as your income increases.
These amounts can change. Check Services Australia for the latest figures before making a final decision about child care costs.
Frequently asked questions
The calculator uses the information you enter, including your Child Care Subsidy percentage or family income, subsidised hours, child’s age, preferred centre, care days, session length and daily fee.
It subtracts your estimated Child Care Subsidy and any kindergarten or preschool funding shown from the total fees. The remaining amount is your estimated out-of-pocket cost.
Your result is a guide only. Your actual cost may differ based on:
- the CCS percentage and subsidised hours approved by Centrelink
- the government’s hourly CCS rate cap
- the amount of CCS withheld
- your centre’s fees
- your child’s attendance
- whether a higher subsidy applies
- your eligibility for kindergarten or preschool funding
If any of these details change, your out-of-pocket cost may also change.
Selecting a centre and your child’s age group allows the calculator to use the relevant daily fee and consider any kindergarten or preschool funding that may apply.
If you do not select a centre, you can still use the calculator, but you may need to enter the daily fee yourself and the estimate may be less precise.
Yes. Services Australia usually withholds 5% of your Child Care Subsidy to help reduce the risk of an overpayment. This calculator includes the standard 5% withholding in your estimate.
If you have changed your withholding amount through Centrelink, your actual payments may differ.
This message means the 3 Day Guarantee has not increased your subsidised hours because you are already eligible for at least three days of subsidised care.
It does not mean that your child care is free. Your result will still show your estimated total fees, Child Care Subsidy and out-of-pocket cost.
The calculator may include an estimate of kindergarten or preschool funding based on your state, your child’s age, the centre selected and the number of days your child may attend.
Funding rules vary by state and centre. The estimate assumes that the relevant eligibility and program requirements are met. Contact your preferred centre to confirm what funding may apply.
Yes. After calculating your result, you can use the out-of-pocket cost matrix to compare different numbers of care days and session lengths.
Available sessions and operating hours vary between centres, so check the options offered by your preferred centre before making a decision.
Yes. Select the number of children who will attend care and enter the details for each child.
The calculator estimates costs separately because each child’s age, fees, care days and CCS rate may be different. Services Australia decides whether a higher CCS rate applies to a younger child.
G8 Education centres near you
Let us find the perfect local centre for your family
Early Learning Services is part of G8 Education, which proudly operates 350+ childcare, kindergarten, and preschool centres across 21 trusted early learning brands in Australia. Our dedicated Family Support Team can find the right local centre near you.
Submit your details here and we’ll be in touch.
We’re here to help.
We want to ensure families have the information they need to maximise their Child Care Subsidy (CCS) entitlements. Read more about Child Care Subsidy here.
Have questions? Call us or book a time to speak with your Centre Manager.