Use our free Child Care Subsidy calculator to instantly see what you'll pay at Little Scholars. At Little Scholars, we believe every child deserves access to high-quality early education — and the CCS helps make that a reality by reducing out-of-pocket childcare costs for eligible families.
Results based on Services Australia 2026–27 rates. Indicative only. Licensed calculator © Child Care Subsidy Calculator ABN 13 606 406 600.
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) helps make premium early learning more affordable by reducing the out-of-pocket cost of childcare for eligible families. And from January 2026, it's getting even better.
Under the new 3-Day Guarantee, eligible families will receive subsidised care for a minimum of three days per week — regardless of work, study or volunteering hours. That means greater access to quality early education for more Queensland families.
Book a tour →From 5 January 2026, all CCS-eligible families will receive at least three full days of subsidised care every week — that's 72 hours per fortnight — regardless of activity level.
| Combined family income | CCS rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $88,520 | Up to 90% |
| $88,520 – $538,520 | Tapered |
| Multiple children under 5 | Up to 95% |
| Above $538,520 | Not eligible |
Source: Services Australia — rates current as at July 2026.
From 5 January 2026, the government will introduce the 3-Day Guarantee. For many families, this is a big step forward.
All CCS-eligible families will have access to at least three full days of subsidised care every week, regardless of how much they work, study, or volunteer. This equals around 72 subsidised hours of care per fortnight. For families who currently only qualify for 24 or 36 hours under the Activity Test, this means more hours of support and greater flexibility.
Families who do meet the activity test will continue to be able to access up to 100 subsidised hours per fortnight, while First Nations families will also receive up to 100 subsidised hours, no matter their activity level.
What this means for your family
The new changes mean less stress about meeting work or study requirements just to qualify for child care support. Families who may have previously missed out on CCS hours will now receive guaranteed support.
Put simply, these changes are giving families more affordable access to early education and children's development — and at Little Scholars, we're here to help you make the most of them.
Read more about CCS changes in 2026 →The Australian Government helps make child care more affordable for families through the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). The subsidy is paid directly to your childcare provider — like Little Scholars — and is deducted from your fees, so you only pay the gap.
Activity-based approved hours
2026–27 hourly rate caps
The subsidy applies to whichever is lower — your actual fee or the hourly rate cap.
To receive the CCS, families need to meet some general requirements. You must be responsible for paying the childcare fees, your child must be 13 or under and not attending secondary school, and your child must meet immunisation requirements. Your child must also attend an approved childcare service — like Little Scholars.
If your family circumstances change — income, work hours, or the number of children in care — it's important to update your details with Services Australia to ensure your subsidy is accurate.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children
Families can now receive at least 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight for each Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child in their care, regardless of the activity test. Learn more →
You can apply for CCS through your myGov account linked to Centrelink. We recommend starting the process before or at the time of enrolment.
Once your child's enrolment is confirmed at Little Scholars, you'll need to finalise a Complying Written Agreement (CWA) with us. This allows the subsidy to be applied to your account.
It's worth gathering documents in advance — proof of income, immunisation records, and details of your recognised activity hours.
Our enrolments team is here to help every step of the way. Call us on 1300 896 139 or book a tour at your nearest Little Scholars campus.
We know navigating the CCS can feel overwhelming, but you're not on your own. Our team is here to walk you through the subsidy process, help you understand what you're entitled to, and make sure the transition into care is as smooth as possible for your whole family.
Call our Enrolments Officer on 1300 896 139 for support with CCS, or book a tour at your nearest Little Scholars campus.
Families earning up to $83,280 a year may be eligible for a subsidy of up to 90% off their daily childcare fees. If your family income is between $83,280 and $533,280, you may still receive a subsidy but the percentage reduces as income increases. Families with more than one child aged 5 or under may be entitled to a higher subsidy of up to 95% for younger siblings. Use our free calculator above to get your personalised estimate.
From 5 January 2026, all CCS-eligible families will have access to at least three full days of subsidised care every week, regardless of how much they work, study, or volunteer. This equals around 72 subsidised hours of care per fortnight. Families who meet the activity test can still access up to 100 subsidised hours per fortnight.
CCS is personalised to your situation. Factors such as family income, recognised activity (work, study or volunteering), and type of childcare all affect how much you receive. The subsidy is applied to the lower of the actual fee charged or the government hourly rate cap for your care type.
To receive the CCS, you must be responsible for paying the childcare fees, your child must be 13 or under and not attending secondary school, and your child must meet immunisation requirements. Your child must also attend an approved childcare service such as Little Scholars.
You can apply for CCS through your myGov account linked to Centrelink. We recommend starting the process before or at the time of enrolment. Once your child's enrolment is confirmed at Little Scholars, you'll need to finalise a Complying Written Agreement (CWA) with us. Call 1300 896 139 or book a tour at your nearest campus.
Families can now receive at least 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight for each Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child in their care, regardless of the activity test. This is part of the government's commitment to supporting First Nations children's access to early education.
Wondering what you'll pay at your nearest Little Scholars campus?
Contact UsWith 17 campuses across South East Queensland — Gold Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich and Redland Bay — there's a Little Scholars close to home.
CCS calculator, updated for 2026-27 rates
The Child Care Subsidy comes off your fees before the bill reaches you. Our free calculator works out how much, using this year's government rates, so you know your real number before you book a tour.
CCS calculator
No sign-up, no email. Fill in what you know, guess what you don't, and the calculator shows your fortnightly cost after CCS. Have these handy:
An estimate only. Services Australia works out your actual subsidy and balances it at the end of each financial year.
How it works
The subsidy is paid straight to us and comes off your fees, so you only pay the gap. Here's what decides the size of that gap.
Sets your percentage. Up to $88,520 in combined family income, it's 90%. Above that it drops 1% for every $5,000, reaching zero at $538,520. A second or younger child aged 5 or under can get up to 95% when family income is under $370,727.
Sets your hours. Every eligible family gets at least 72 subsidised hours a fortnight for each child. More than 48 hours of work, study or volunteering a fortnight lifts it to 100.
Sets the ceiling. Your percentage applies to your hourly fee or the government cap, whichever is lower. For long day care, children below school age, the cap is $15.19 an hour.
$130,000 a year gets 81.70% CCS
The standard rate for one child, 2026-27. A second or younger child aged 5 or under may get more. Use this income in the calculator
Rates and income thresholds are indexed each July and were last updated 6 July 2026. Services Australia confirms your entitlement.
Getting set up
Apply for CCS through your Centrelink online account in myGov. Start before your child's first day.
Come and see the campus, meet the team and ask about fees. Book a tour when you're ready.
Once your place is confirmed, you'll agree a Complying Written Arrangement with us and confirm the enrolment in your Centrelink account. That switches the subsidy on.
Income or work hours changed? Update Services Australia so your subsidy stays right and there's no bill at balancing time.
Your questions, answered
Still stuck? Our enrolments team sorts out CCS questions every day. Call 1300 896 139.
It depends on your combined family income. Families earning up to $88,520 a year get 90% of the fee covered, up to the hourly cap. Above that, the rate drops by 1% for every $5,000 you earn, reaching zero at $538,520. If you have a second or younger child aged 5 or under in care, that child can get a higher rate of up to 95% when your family income is under $370,727. The calculator above works out your exact percentage.
Since 5 January 2026, every family eligible for CCS gets at least 72 hours of subsidised care a fortnight for each child. That's three full days a week, whatever your work, study or volunteering hours. Families with more than 48 hours of recognised activity a fortnight can get up to 100 hours.
Three things set it: your income sets your percentage, your activity sets your subsidised hours, and the government hourly rate cap sets the ceiling. The percentage is applied to whichever is lower, the fee you're charged or the cap. For long day care in 2026-27 the cap is $15.19 an hour for children below school age.
You need to be the person paying the fees, your child needs to be 13 or under and not at secondary school, and your child needs to meet immunisation requirements. You or your partner also need to meet the residency rules, and your child needs to attend an approved service. Every Little Scholars campus is approved.
Apply through your Centrelink online account in myGov, ideally before your child starts. Once your place is confirmed, you'll agree a Complying Written Arrangement with us and confirm the enrolment in your Centrelink account. Stuck? Our enrolments team will walk you through it on 1300 896 139.
Families caring for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child can get 100 hours of subsidised care a fortnight for that child, regardless of activity.
Yes. If your child is in their kindy year and booked for at least 15 hours a week, the calculator adds Queensland's Free Kindy funding and shows your cost in kindy weeks and outside them.
The 3 Day Guarantee
Since 5 January 2026, every family eligible for CCS gets at least three days of subsidised care a week for each child. It doesn't matter how many hours you work, study or volunteer.
If you were only getting 24 or 36 hours a fortnight under the old activity test, your subsidised hours have gone up.
Which one sounds like you?
In the year before school, Queensland's Free Kindy covers 15 hours a week across 40 weeks for eligible children booked at least 15 hours a week. The calculator works it in for you.
What the 2026 changes mean for your family
17 campuses across South East Queensland. Meet the educators, see the studios and find out what the chef's cooking.
Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and we’ll be in contact to arrange a time for a ‘Campus Tour’ and we will answer any questions you might have!
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Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and we’ll be in contact to arrange a time for a ‘Campus Tour’ and we will answer any questions you might have!
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