Child Care Subsidy Calculator
Fees & funding made simple
Estimate your out-of-pocket childcare fees
Find out what the Australian Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) could cover at Beginnings Early Learners in Alfredton and Sunbury. Answer a few quick questions to see your estimated out-of-pocket fee per week, fortnight, month or year.
Step 1 of 4
About you
A few quick questions to estimate what your family could pay at Beginnings Early Learners after the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).
Please enter your suburb or postcode.
Is your child Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander?
Families caring for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child can get 100 hours of subsidised care a fortnight.
Please choose Yes or No.
Step 2 of 4
Your CCS details
Do you already know your CCS percentage and hours?
You'll find these in your myGov account under Centrelink.
Please choose Yes or No.
If you only have one rate, use the same number as above.
Please choose your hours.
Are you a single parent or part of a couple?
"Couple" includes married and de facto partners, as recognised by Centrelink.
Please choose one.
Your and your partner's estimated adjusted taxable income for 2026–27 — the figure you report to Centrelink.
How many hours a fortnight does the parent working the least work, study or volunteer?
Under the 3 Day Guarantee, every eligible family gets at least 72 hours (3 days a week) of subsidised care. More than 48 hours of activity a fortnight lifts this to 100 hours.
Please choose one.
Step 3 of 4
Your children
How many children will be in long day care?
Families with more than one child aged 5 or under in care can get a higher subsidy for their second and younger children. We'll include this in your estimate.
Your estimate
Summary
Estimate only, based on the 2026–27 Child Care Subsidy rates and hourly rate cap ($15.19) published by the Department of Education. Your actual entitlement is set by Services Australia. For an official figure, use the Starting Blocks calculator or claim CCS through myGov.
The 2026–27 CCS numbers you need to know
| CCS detail | What applies in 2026–27 |
|---|---|
|
Maximum CCS rate |
90% for family incomes up to $88,520 |
|
How the rate reduces |
1% less for every $5,000 above $88,520 |
|
Income where CCS is not applicable (drops to 0%) |
$538,520 or more |
|
Second and younger children (aged 5 or under) |
Up to 95%, for family incomes under $370,727 |
|
Maximum hourly fee the government subsidises |
$15.19 an hour |
|
Subsidised hours per fortnight |
A minimum of 72 hours a fortnight (100 for some families) |
|
CCS held back each week |
5%, paid back after the financial year |
Child Care Subsidy FAQs
Your CCS percentage depends on your family income, hours of care, how many of your kids aged 5 or under are in care, and your centre's hourly fee. Families earning $88,520 or less receive the maximum 90% subsidy rate. Above this threshold, your rate reduces by 1% for every additional $5,000 earned, reaching 0% at $538,520.
Centrelink pays your CCS directly to your childcare centre and deducts it from your fees, so you only pay the gap.
To calculate your CCS, Centrelink multiplies your CCS percentage by either your centre’s hourly fee or the national rate cap ($15.19/hr), whichever is lower, for every subsidised hour. They hold back 5% each fortnight until the end of the financial year and pay it back once your actual income is confirmed.
Work, study or neither, your family is now covered for at least 72 subsidised hours every fortnight, or roughly three days a week. This minimum came in on 5 January 2026 under the 3 Day Guarantee.
Your fortnightly hours can increase to 100 if:
- the parent with the fewest hours works, studies or volunteers more than 48 hours a fortnight
- your child identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Any hours you book over your limit are charged at the full fee. Our calculator shows you exactly when this happens, week by week.
Yes. When more than one of your children aged 5 or under is in care, the oldest stays on the standard CCS rate. Each younger sibling can attract up to 95%, provided your household earns less than $370,727. They can even be enrolled at different centres.
Your family may be eligible for CCS if:
- your child is 13 or younger and not in secondary school
- your child meets immunisation requirements
- you or your partner meet residency requirements
- you’re responsible for paying the childcare fees
- you use an approved childcare service
- Set up a myGov account and connect it to Centrelink.
- Submit a separate CCS claim for every child, along with an estimate of what your family will earn this financial year.
- Enrol your child at Beginnings Early Learners. Once your place is confirmed, the subsidy is automatically applied to your fees.
Tip: Keep your income estimate in myGov up to date to avoid owing any balance at tax time.
Need help with your estimate?
Talk through your fees with our team
Every family’s week looks a little different. If you work shifts, need flexible days, have more than one child in care or want to know how Victorian Free Kinder works alongside CCS, our Centre Directors can work out an estimate for your routine.
Call your nearest centre, or book a tour to see the rooms and talk through your fees in person.
Our locations
Alfredton
Our Alfredton centre is in Ballarat’s west, caring for children from six weeks to school age. Families come to us from Alfredton, Lake Wendouree, Delacombe, Sebastopol, Wendouree and Smythes Creek for our Reggio Emilia-inspired program, integrated kindergarten and chef-prepared meals.
Sunbury
Our Sunbury centre cares for children from six weeks to school age, with families coming from Sunbury, Diggers Rest, Bulla, Riddells Creek and Gisborne. Children enjoy the same Reggio Emilia-inspired program, integrated kindergarten and chef-prepared meals, in a family-owned centre that feels like part of the community.