Paying for early learning can feel complicated, especially when you are balancing work, family commitments and the many costs of raising a child. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is designed to help eligible families manage the cost of approved education and care.
For families looking for childcare Liverpool or daycare Liverpool, understanding the basics of CCS can make planning much easier. This guide explains the 2026 changes, eligibility, income thresholds, hours, claiming process and how our team at Rainbow Hut Early Learning Centre, Liverpool can support you.
Important: CCS is assessed by Services Australia. The information below is general guidance only, and your personal entitlement may be different.
What is the Child Care Subsidy?
The Child Care Subsidy is financial assistance from the Australian Government that helps eligible families pay for approved child care.
The subsidy is generally paid directly to your early learning service, reducing the amount you pay in regular fees. Your family’s final out-of-pocket cost depends on:
- Your approved CCS percentage
- The number of hours of care your child attends
- Your family income
- The hourly fee charged by the service
- The government’s hourly rate cap
- Any additional fees or absences
At Rainbow Hut, we believe access to a nourishing, safe and growth-oriented early learning environment should be as straightforward as possible. Our goal is to help families focus on their child’s fun and learning while understanding their fee arrangements clearly.
What changed with the 2026 3 Day Guarantee?
From 5 January 2026, the previous activity test arrangements changed. Eligible families can now receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, which is equivalent to three days per week for many families.
This minimum entitlement applies even if you do not work, study or volunteer a certain number of hours.
The change is intended to make early learning more accessible for families with different circumstances, including parents who are:
- Working part-time or casually
- Studying or undertaking training
- Looking for work
- Caring for another family member
- Returning to the workforce
- Staying at home while their child attends early learning
Some families may be eligible for up to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. This can depend on recognised participation, special circumstances or other eligibility provisions.
For example, up to 100 hours may apply where:
- Both parents or carers meet the recognised participation requirements
- The child is Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- A parent or carer has an approved exemption
- The family receives certain types of Additional Child Care Subsidy
The 3 Day Guarantee supports consistency, which is valuable for children. Regular attendance helps children build secure relationships with educators, become familiar with routines and enjoy meaningful fun and learning experiences.
How does family income affect CCS?
Your family’s estimated annual income is used to work out your CCS percentage. In general, the lower your family income, the higher your potential subsidy rate.
For the 2026 income thresholds outlined by Services Australia:
- Families with an income of up to $88,520 may be eligible for a CCS rate of up to 90%
- Between $88,520 and below $538,520, the subsidy percentage gradually reduces as income increases
- At $538,520 or more, the standard CCS rate is generally 0%
The exact amount you pay will also depend on the hourly rate cap. CCS does not necessarily cover a percentage of every dollar charged if the service fee is higher than the applicable government cap.
Families with more than one child aged five or under in care may also be eligible for a higher CCS rate for one or more children, subject to the relevant rules.
Because income estimates can change during the year, it is important to keep your details updated with Services Australia. If your estimate is too low, you may receive more subsidy than you are entitled to and have a debt after reconciliation. If it is too high, you may receive less support during the year than expected.
You can read the latest information on how income affects Child Care Subsidy.
Who may be eligible?
To receive CCS, you and your child generally need to meet several requirements.
You may need to:
- Be responsible for paying the child care fees
- Care for the child at least part-time
- Meet Australian residency or eligible visa requirements
- Use an approved child care service
- Have a child aged 13 or under who is not attending secondary school, unless an exemption applies
- Meet immunisation requirements, including having an approved catch-up plan where applicable
Services Australia considers your individual family circumstances. If you are unsure, it is best to check the official requirements rather than assume you are not eligible.
How to claim CCS: a simple step-by-step guide
You generally claim CCS through your myGov account linked to Centrelink.
1. Create or access your myGov account
Visit myGov and link Centrelink if you have not already done so.
2. Start a Child Care Subsidy claim
Within your Centrelink online account, look for the option to make a claim for Child Care Subsidy.
You will usually be asked for information about:
- Your child or children
- Your relationship to the child
- Your family income estimate
- Your recognised participation or circumstances
- Your child care arrangements
- Your partner, if applicable
3. Submit your claim and wait for assessment
Services Australia will assess your information and notify you of your CCS percentage and approved hours.
You should submit your claim as early as possible. Waiting until after your child starts care may delay the subsidy being applied to your account.
4. Accept your child’s enrolment
Once your child is enrolled at Rainbow Hut, we submit the relevant enrolment details to Services Australia. You may then need to review and confirm the enrolment through your Centrelink online account.
5. Keep your information current
Update Services Australia if your:
- Family income changes
- Work, study or participation circumstances change
- Relationship status changes
- Care arrangements change
- Child’s details change
You can also review how to claim Child Care Subsidy for official instructions.
Try our Child Care Subsidy Estimator
Before making an enrolment decision, many families want an approximate idea of their likely fees. Our Child Care Subsidy Estimator can help you begin that conversation with our team.
The estimator is not an official CCS assessment, but it gives us an opportunity to discuss your preferred days, your child’s age and your family’s questions. For a more comprehensive government estimate, you can also use the Starting Blocks Child Care Subsidy Calculator.
When using any calculator, remember that your final fees may vary according to attendance patterns, hourly caps, absences and your confirmed CCS assessment.
How Rainbow Hut supports Liverpool families
At Rainbow Hut Early Learning Centre, Liverpool, we understand that enrolment involves much more than completing forms. It is the beginning of a long-term relationship between your family, your child and our educators.
As a small family-owned childcare service, we take a personal and children-first approach. Our team can support you by:
- Explaining our enrolment and fee processes in clear language
- Providing the service details needed for your CCS claim
- Submitting enrolment and attendance information through the required systems
- Helping you understand how your confirmed CCS percentage may affect your fees
- Working with you when attendance patterns or family circumstances change
- Listening respectfully to your questions, feedback and preferences
We cannot decide your CCS percentage or lodge your Centrelink claim on your behalf, but we can help you understand the information connected with your enrolment.
Our Penguins room supports children aged 0–3, while our Koalas room supports children aged 3–5. Across both rooms, children experience a careful balance of fun and learning through the Early Years Learning Framework, school readiness experiences, mindful practices and respectful relationships.
Why families choose Rainbow Hut Early Learning Centre
Choosing a service is about more than the daily fee. It is also about finding a place where your child feels known, safe and encouraged to grow.
At Rainbow Hut, we value:
- A nurturing and inclusive environment
- Respect for multiculturalism, diversity and individual beliefs
- Long-term relationships with children and families
- Purpose-built facilities designed for early learning
- Open communication between educators and parents
- A strong focus on school readiness and building capacity
- A children-first policy in everyday decisions
Rainbow Hut Early Learning Centre has three locations (Liverpool, Blacktown and Prestons) so families can choose the centre that best suits their circumstances. Visit our Liverpool childcare information, explore our learning programs or contact us to book a tour.
Common CCS questions
Does my child need to attend three days a week?
No. The 72-hour entitlement is the maximum subsidised hours available under the minimum 3 Day Guarantee, not a requirement that your child must attend three days every week.
Does CCS cover all my child care fees?
No. CCS is calculated using your approved percentage and the applicable hourly rate cap. You are responsible for the remaining gap and any fees not covered by CCS.
Can I claim CCS if I am not working?
You may still be eligible for the minimum 72 subsidised hours per fortnight if you meet the other CCS requirements. Services Australia assesses each family’s circumstances.
Can Rainbow Hut tell me exactly what I will pay?
We can help explain our fees and discuss an estimate, but only Services Australia can confirm your CCS entitlement. Your final out-of-pocket amount depends on your approved assessment and attendance details.
What should I do first?
Create or update your myGov and Centrelink details, submit your CCS claim, then contact our team to discuss enrolment and preferred days.
Ready to plan your child’s early learning journey?
Understanding CCS can make choosing childcare Liverpool or daycare Liverpool feel more manageable. Our team is here to make the process welcoming, transparent and supportive from your first enquiry onwards.
USE OUR CCS ESTIMATOR, BOOK A TOUR AND START YOUR ENROLMENT CONVERSATION TODAY!
CCS rules and thresholds can change. Always check the latest information with Services Australia before making financial decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Child Care Subsidy?
The Child Care Subsidy is government assistance that helps eligible families with the cost of approved child care.
How many subsidised hours can eligible families receive in 2026?
Eligible families can receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight under the 2026 3 Day Guarantee. Some families may be eligible for up to 100 hours.
How is the CCS percentage calculated?
Services Australia uses your estimated family income and other relevant information to calculate your CCS percentage. The hourly rate cap and your service’s fees also affect your final costs.
Where can Liverpool families estimate their child care costs?
Families can use the Rainbow Hut Child Care Subsidy Estimator and the official Starting Blocks CCS Calculator.
Does Rainbow Hut have locations outside Liverpool?
Yes. Rainbow Hut Early Learning Centre has three locations: Liverpool, Blacktown and Prestons.
