What is it?
From January 5 2026, all Child Care Subsidy eligible families can receive 3 days of subsidised child care per week, or 72 hours per fortnight.
The 3 day guarantee ensures more children will be school-ready, whilst providing cost-of-living relief for families. Early childhood education will be more accessible regardless of a families’ circumstances, through guaranteed hours of subsidised care.
What has changed?
From January 5 2026, the current activity test will be replaced and instead be known as recognised participation types. All families regardless of activity level earning under $533,280 per annum, will be eligible for at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families are guaranteed to receive up to 100 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight.
Eligible families who meet activity requirements or have a valid exemption can still receive up to 100 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight.
Families are still required to pay a gap fee. If you already receive the Child Care Subsidy, you do not need to do anything to benefit from these changes.
3 Day Guarantee
The 3 day Guarantee will benefit 66,700 families with more than 100,000 families that will be eligible for additional hours of subsidised child care. This will provide more affordable child care for more families.
Check out the 3 Day Guarantee at the Department of Education for further information regarding the Child Care Subsidy.
For any enquiries or questions regarding how you can utilise the Child Care Subsidy, please give us a call or email us info@sustainableplay.com.au