CCS Changes in 2026 and the ‘3 Day Guarantee’ Explained

Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and the 2026 “3 Day Guarantee” Explained

The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a financial support program offered by the Australian Government to make early childhood education and care more affordable for families. Administered by Services Australia, CCS helps cover a portion of your child care fees based on income, activity level, and type of care.

At Billy-beet, we’re proud to be part of the local community—offering children safe, nurturing, and engaging environments to learn and grow through our Melton West, Melton Creekside, and Epping centres.

How CCS Works

• Family Income: Determines the percentage of subsidy you receive.
• Activity Level: More hours of work, study, or volunteering equals more subsidised hours.
• Type of Service: Applies to long day care, family day care, OSHC, and kindergarten programs.

You can estimate your subsidy with the official CCS calculator by Starting Blocks.

What’s Changing in 2026?

From January 2026, the Australian Government will implement a new policy called the 3 Day Guarantee. This change ensures that all families are eligible for at least 72 hours of subsidised early learning per fortnight—even if they don’t meet current activity test requirements. The reform is part of the government’s early education commitment, outlined in the official 3 Day Guarantee announcement.

• No activity test needed for the base 72 hours of subsidised care.
• Families may still access up to 100 hours with qualifying activity or exemptions.
• First Nations families will continue to receive 100 subsidised hours per fortnight.

Why This Change Matters

The Productivity Commission highlighted that children who benefit most from early learning—those from vulnerable or low-income backgrounds—are often the least likely to attend regularly. By removing the activity test barrier, the 3 Day Guarantee promotes more equitable access and consistent attendance across all families.

Who Benefits?

• Around 66,700 families will gain new access to subsidised care.
• Over 100,000 families will be eligible for more hours than before.
• Families earning over $533,280 remain ineligible, in line with current settings.

Example: Sarah and Alex

Sarah and Alex have one child attending care three days a week (36 hours). Their household income is $90,000. Under the current system, they receive 36 hours of CCS per fortnight. From 2026, they’ll receive 72 hours—saving around $230 per week or $11,400 per year based on average fees.

• $90,000 income: Save $230/week ($11,400/year)
• $120,000 income: Save $220/week ($10,630/year)
• $140,000 income: Save $200/week ($10,110/year)

What Should Families Do Now?

• Review your child’s current care arrangements and attendance pattern.
• Speak with your provider about increasing hours if needed.
• Stay informed via education.gov.au for updates and eligibility info.

Need Help Understanding CCS or Enrolment?

For personalised help with the CCS changes or to speak to one of our centres—Melton West, Melton Creekside, or Epping—please call 1300-KINDER or contact us online.