Free Child Care Subsidy Calculator (2026-27)
This child care subsidy calculator works out your CCS percentage, how much subsidy is paid to your child care provider, and the gap fee you pay, from your family income and your daily fee.
Child care subsidy calculator: CCS percentage by income
| Family income | CCS (first child) | Younger child under 6 | Gap a fortnight* |
|---|---|---|---|
| $80,000 | 90.00% | 95.00% | $130.50 |
| $100,000 | 87.70% | 95.00% | $150.17 |
| $120,000 | 83.70% | 95.00% | $184.37 |
| $150,000 | 77.70% | 93.81% | $235.66 |
| $180,000 | 71.70% | 83.81% | $286.97 |
| $220,000 | 63.70% | 80.00% | $355.37 |
| $300,000 | 47.70% | 70.24% | $492.17 |
| $400,000 | 27.70% | 27.70% | $663.17 |
| $500,000 | 7.70% | 7.70% | $834.17 |
Higher rate for younger children
Families with more than one child aged 5 or under in care get a higher rate for the second and younger children: 95% up to $146,437, falling to 80% at $191,437, staying at 80% to $270,727, then falling to 50% at $360,727. From $370,727 the standard rate applies to every child.
Hourly rate caps (2026-27)
| Care type | Below school age | School age |
|---|---|---|
| Centre-based day care | $15.19 | $13.30 |
| Outside school hours care | $15.19 | $13.30 |
| Family day care | $14.08 | $14.08 |
| In home care (per family) | $41.31 | $41.31 |
Frequently asked questions
How does the child care subsidy calculator work?
It works out your CCS percentage from your family income (90% up to $88,520, then 1 percentage point less for each $5,000, reaching 0% at $538,520), applies it to the lower of your hourly fee and the hourly rate cap, for up to 72 subsidised hours a fortnight (100 if both parents do more than 48 hours of activity), and takes off the 5% withholding.
How much child care subsidy on $150,000 family income?
77.70%. For centre-based care at $150 a day, 3 days a week, the subsidy paid is about $664.34 a fortnight and your gap is about $235.66 ($39.28 a day).
What is the 3 Day Guarantee?
From 5 January 2026 the activity test was replaced: every family gets at least 72 hours of subsidised care per child each fortnight (about 3 days), or 100 hours if both parents do more than 48 hours of work, study or volunteering a fortnight. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children get 100 hours.
What are the CCS hourly rate caps for 2026-27?
Centre-based day care and outside school hours care: $15.19 an hour below school age and $13.30 for school age. Family day care: $14.08. In home care: $41.31 per family. The subsidy is worked out on the lower of your fee and the cap.