Understanding the Child Care Subsidy at Scotts Road Child Care
The cost of childcare is one of the first things families think about when exploring their options — and it can feel complicated. The good news is that most Australian families are entitled to government assistance through the Child Care Subsidy, which can significantly reduce what you pay out of pocket each week.
At Scotts Road Child Care Centre in Darra, we are a fully approved Child Care Subsidy provider. Our team is happy to help you understand your entitlements, work out your likely costs, and guide you through the process from start to finish. You should never feel alone navigating this — we do it every day.
Who is eligible for the Child Care Subsidy?
Most Australian families using approved childcare are eligible for some level of CCS. To qualify, you generally need to meet the following conditions.
You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold an eligible visa.
Your child must be up to date with their immunisations or have an approved exemption.
Your child must be attending an approved childcare service — Scotts Road Child Care is fully approved.
Both you and your partner (if applicable) must meet the activity test, which looks at how much work, study, training, or volunteering you each do.
What is the Child Care Subsidy?
The Child Care Subsidy — commonly known as the CCS — is a Australian Government payment that helps eligible families cover the cost of approved childcare. Rather than being paid directly to families, it is applied as a reduction to your childcare fees, which means you only ever pay the gap between the full fee and the subsidy amount.
The subsidy is administered by Services Australia and is available to families who meet the eligibility requirements around residency, immunisation, and the type of childcare they are using.
How much Child Care Subsidy will I receive?
The amount of CCS you receive depends on three main factors.
Your family's combined annual income. Families with a lower household income generally receive a higher subsidy percentage. The subsidy starts to reduce as income increases and phases out at higher income levels. Current income thresholds and subsidy rates are updated by the government periodically and can be found at Services Australia.
How many children you have in care. Families with more than one child in approved childcare may be entitled to a higher subsidy rate for their second and subsequent children. This is known as the Higher Child Care Subsidy.
Your activity level. The activity test determines how many subsidised hours per fortnight you are entitled to. The more hours of work, study, training, or volunteering you do, the more subsidised hours you can access — up to a maximum of 100 hours per fortnight.
What could I actually pay after CCS?
At Scotts Road Child Care Centre, our fees start from as low as $12.19 per day after the Child Care Subsidy is applied. Every family's situation is different, so the best way to understand your specific costs is to use the Child Care Subsidy Estimator on the Services Australia website, or simply give us a call and we will talk you through it.
We are here to help
Navigating the Child Care Subsidy system can feel overwhelming, especially for families enrolling a child in care for the first time. At Scotts Road Child Care, we have helped hundreds of Darra families understand and access their entitlements, and we are always happy to answer your questions.
If you would like to talk through your specific situation, estimate your costs, or simply find out what you might be eligible for, please get in touch. We would love to help you take the next step.
Call us on (07) 5512 0910, visit our enquiries page, or come and see us in person — we are open Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 6:30pm at 39 Scotts Road, Darra.
Frequently Asked Questions about CCS
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The best way to estimate your subsidy is to use the Child Care Subsidy Estimator on the Services Australia website, or speak with our team directly. We can walk you through the key factors that determine your entitlement.
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CCS is applied to your fees from the date Centrelink approves your claim and confirms your enrolment with our centre. We recommend applying as early as possible — ideally before your child's first day.
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CCS is available for approved long day care, family day care, in-home care, outside school hours care, and vacation care. Scotts Road Child Care is approved for long day care and OSHC, so your CCS entitlement applies across all our programs.
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You may still be entitled to a minimum number of subsidised hours even if your current activity level is low. Speak with Services Australia or our team to understand your options.
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It is important to keep your CCS details up to date through myGov. Changes to your income or activity level can affect your subsidy rate, and updating this promptly ensures you are always receiving the correct entitlement.
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You do not need to reapply each year, but you are required to confirm your family income with Centrelink annually. Failing to do so can result in your subsidy being paused.
