What is a Child Care Subsidy? How is it Calculated?

child care subsidy

The Child Care Subsidy is the Government’s payment to assist families with the cost of child care. The subsidy rate depends on your family income and child care service provider’s fees.

CCSS will be paid directly to your child care provider and deducted from your account balance each fortnight in advance. How much is spent? You can also use the busy bees child care subsidy calculator to calculate the subsidy amount to be received by your childcare.

What is Child Care Subsidy?

The Child Care Subsidy is the Government’s payment to assist families with the cost of child care.

The CCSS is paid directly to your child care provider and helps you pay 50% of registered child care fees. It will only be payable if you receive Family Tax Benefit Part A or B or are exempt from income tax because of your family situation.

Benefits of Child Care Subsidy

The amount of Child Care Subsidy you receive is based on the number of approved sessions each fortnight.

  • You can use a Child Care Subsidy for each session of approved child care that you pay for, up to a maximum of 100 hours per fortnight.
  • You can also claim a Child Care Subsidy for more than one child at the same time (for example, a sibling group).
  • CCSS is there to help you with your childcare costs.
  • The amount of CCSS you will get depends on the actual hourly fee charged by your child care service.

How is Child Care Subsidy Calculated?

You can use subsidy calculators like the busy bees child care subsidy calculator. However, your eligibility for the Child Care Subsidy is based on three factors:

  • Your family’s total annual income
  • Your acknowledged employment-related activity
  • Your childcare expenses

Eligibility to Get Child Care Subsidy

Depending on your situation, it’s likely that your family qualifies for CCS payments. In order to qualify for CCS, you must:

  • Have 14% care of your child or at least two nights per fortnight.
  • You or your partner must meet the residence rules.
  • Unless an exception exists, provide for a youngster aged 13 or younger who is not enrolled in secondary school.
  • Use a reputable childcare facility.
  • You are in charge of covering the childcare costs.
  • Fulfill the immunisation requirements.
  • Your provider must charge you at least the same hourly rate they charge other families. If not, they’ll have to pay back the difference.

Additional Payments for Child Care Subsidy

You may also be eligible for child care subsidy if you:

  • Are an eligible grandparent.
  • Are experiencing temporary financial hardship.
  • Are caring for a child who is at risk of harm, abuse, neglect or vulnerable.
  • Engage in volunteering or activities related to job search.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a Child Care Subsidy, you should know a few things. Your eligibility will depend on your income, family status, and whether or not you have children with special needs. If you are eligible for CCSS, it will be paid directly to your childcare provider and deducted from your account balance each fortnight in advance.

Gretchen Walker
Gretchen is a homemaker by day and writer by night. She takes a keen interest in life as it unfolds around her and spends her free time observing people go about their everyday affairs.