Fees & CCS
What childcare costs after subsidies
Almost nobody pays the advertised daily fee. Between the Child Care Subsidy, the 3-Day Guarantee and Free Kinder, most families pay a fraction of it. We would rather show you that clearly now than surprise you at enrolment.
Per centre
Fees at your centre, before and after CCS
Pick your centre to see its daily fee before CCS, what that becomes at each subsidy rate, and what Free Kinder adds for kinder children.
*Your effective rate after the 5% CCS withholding, which Centrelink pays back to you at the end of the financial year.
The Free Kinder Offset applies to every child in our 3 and 4-year-old Kindergarten programs.
*Your effective rate after the 5% CCS withholding, which Centrelink pays back to you at the end of the financial year.
The Free Kinder Offset applies to every child in our 3 and 4-year-old Kindergarten programs.
*Your effective rate after the 5% CCS withholding, which Centrelink pays back to you at the end of the financial year.
The Free Kinder Offset applies to every child in our 3 and 4-year-old Kindergarten programs.
*Your effective rate after the 5% CCS withholding, which Centrelink pays back to you at the end of the financial year.
The Free Kinder Offset applies to every child in our 3 and 4-year-old Kindergarten programs.
Estimate your cost
Your estimated daily out-of-pocket
An indication only, based on 2025–26 CCS settings. Centrelink withholds 5% of your CCS during the year and pays it back to you at the end of the financial year, so the figure above uses your effective rate. Your exact subsidy depends on your Centrelink assessment, activity and days of care, and we confirm real figures with you before enrolment.
The CCS is paid by the government straight to the centre, so you only ever pay the gap. Families earning up to about $85,000 get 90% subsidised, and the rate tapers gradually above that. You set it up once through myGov, and we will help you do it.
From January 2026, eligible families are guaranteed at least three subsidised days a fortnight regardless of work or study hours. It replaced the old activity test, so if that ever put you off childcare, it is gone now.
Victoria's Free Kinder program applies within our long day care. Eligible 3 and 4 year olds attract an offset of around $2,000 a year, taken directly off your fees.
Meals cooked onsite, nappies, sunscreen and the kinder program are included in your daily fee. At Epping, kinder uniforms are included too. No surprise extras.
Good to know
Common questions about fees
Is the estimator accurate?
It gives a fair indication based on the 2025–26 CCS rates, but your exact subsidy depends on your Centrelink assessment, recognised activity and number of children in care. We confirm your real figures with you before enrolment, so there are no surprises.
When do I pay, and how?
Fees are billed in arrears by direct debit, with the CCS already taken off. Your statement shows the full fee, the subsidy and your gap, line by line.
Do I pay for public holidays or sick days?
Booked days are charged, as with all long day care, and CCS still applies to most absences (42 allowable absence days per year). We will explain how this works for your booking pattern.
Is there an enrolment fee or bond?
Ask at your tour for the current enrolment terms at your centre. We keep any upfront costs modest and always explain them before you sign anything.
What if my income changes during the year?
You update your estimate with Centrelink and your subsidy adjusts. Centrelink reconciles at tax time, which is why a small withholding applies, and we can walk you through how that works.
Get your exact cost at a tour
Bring your income estimate along and we will work out your real daily cost together.