Save on Child Care Fees with CCS
WA Child Care Subsidy (CCS): Explained
What is CCS?
The Federal Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) offers families access to fee reduction for a vital and much-needed service.
How does it work?
Subsidies will be paid directly to your Child Care provider, which we pass on to families in the form of fee reductions. Families will then pay the difference between their subsidy and the fees charged.
Can I claim CCS when enrolling at SOEL?
Schools of Early Learning is a CCS approved Child Care service. To claim CCS, you must meet the following requirements:
- You (or your partner) must meet the residency and immunisation requirements
- Participate in a recognised activity
What are recognised activities?
Recognised activity includes paid work, paid and unpaid leave and approved study. For more information, visit Services Australia – Recognised activities
You may be exempt from the Child Care Subsidy activity test if you are the principal carer of your grandchild, unable to work due to a disability or medical condition, or a Carer Payment recipient.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children may be entitled to a minimum of 36 hours of subsidised care, regardless of activity levels. Low income families may be entitled to a minimum of 24 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, regardless of activity levels.
To find out if any other Child Care Subsidy activity test exemptions apply, visit Exemptions and Activity level and subsidised care for Child Care Subsidy – Services Australia.
How much CCS am I eligible for?
A family’s combined annual taxable income will determine the percentage of CCS they are eligible for. You can use the Child Care Subsidy calculator on the Starting Blocks website to see what you may be eligible for.
Changes to CCS
Changes to the Child Care Subsidy commenced on 10 July 2023, which means Child Care is now cheaper for most families. It also means some families previously not eligible for Child Care Subsidy will now get it. This change provides more support for more families across Australia. Read more about the changes to Child Care Subsidy.
Activities
- Paid work (including leave, such as maternity leave)
- Study and training
- Unpaid work in family business
- Looking for work
- Volunteering
- Self-employment
- Other activities on a case-by-case basis
Please note, the government will only count:
- Periods of unpaid leave for up to 6 months (this doesn’t apply to unpaid parental leave)
- Setting up a business for 6 months out of every 12 months
Hours of Activity Per Fortnight eligible for Child Care Subsidy
The parent or guardian with the lowest hours of activity per fortnight will determine the hours of subsidised care. The hours of subsidy per child, per fortnight are:
| Hours of Activity | Hours of Subsidy |
| Less than 8 hours | 0 hours if you earn above $83,820 24 hours if you earn $83,820 or below |
| 8 to 16 hours | 36 hours |
| 16 to 48 hours | 72 hours |
| Over 48 hours | 100 hours (maximum per fortnight) |
Parents whose hours of paid work vary from one fortnight to the next (such as casual workers) can estimate their fortnightly hours of work based on a three-month period.
Families with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children can get at least 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight for that child. This is regardless of their family’s activity level.