To qualify for CCS, families are based on the following criteria:

1. Residency and Immunisation 

• You meet the Australian residency rules 
• Your child must meet immunisation requirements and not be attending secondary school unless an exemption applies.
• Pay fees at an approved childcare centre

For further information, please refer to this CCS Information.

2. Additional Support

Some families may be eligible for additional subsidy benefits. Eligibility criteria include:

• Being a grandparent
• Experiencing financial hardship that is of a temporary nature
• Transitioning to work
• Caring for a vulnerable or at-risk child.

For further information, please refer to ACCS Information.

3. Types of Approved Childcare Services Covered

The subsidy applies only to approved childcare services such as those offered at all Creative Childcare.

The amount of CCS you can receive is dependent on four factors:

• Your family’s income 
• the hourly rate cap based on the type of approved childcare you use and your child’s age
• the hours of activity you and your partner do
• the number of children in your care.

The amount of subsidised childcare you can access per fortnight applies to each child.

Please note that any time your income or activity changes, you will need to report the change to Centrelink to ensure that you continue to receive the correct amount of CCS. 

Applying for CCS is simple. You can apply online through your myGov account linked to Centrelink. Here’s how: 

1. Apply for your customer reference number (CRN) from Centrelink.
2. Create a myGov account if you don’t already have one.
3. Once signed in, go to Centrelink> Payments and claims> Make a Claim > Families> Childcare Subsidy
4. Complete your Childcare Subsidy assessment, then make a claim.
5. Once approved, the subsidy will be paid directly to your childcare provider.

It takes under a minute to find out what portion of subsidised childcare you are eligible for. The calculator will give you a guide about your out-of-pocket costs.

Please note it is a guide to give your indicative out of pocket amounts.

Step 1: Service Information: Enter information about the Creative Childcare you wish to attend. This will calculate childcare fees costs and hours spent in childcare, the subsidy calculator will estimate your weekly and fortnightly out-of-pocket costs.

Step 2: Activity Test: Determine if you meet the activity test requirements to qualify for the CCS. If you meet the recognised activity test guidelines, you will be asked further questions, and the calculator will estimate what portion of CCS you are eligible for.

Step 3: Family Information: This third step asks how many children will be attending childcare centres or other services. It also asks whether you know your percentage, and if you don’t, it will calculate it based on the activity test and your taxable income.

The hourly rate cap is the maximum amount the government will subsidise per hour, per child, based on the type of care you use. If your childcare service charges more than the cap, you’ll need to cover the difference.

As of 2025, the hourly rate cap is:

• Centre-based day care: $13.17 per hour

• Family day care: $11.73 per hour

• Outside school hours care: $13.17 per hour
  These caps are indexed annually, so they may increase slightly each year.

Yes! Families with more than one child under 5 receive a higher subsidy rate.

It is important to keep your details up to date. If your income, activity level, or family situation changes can affect how much CCS you’re entitled to. You can update your details anytime through your myGov account to avoid being overpaid or underpaid.

Yes! If you switch to a Creative Childcare, your CCS automatically transfers.