We know how much childcare costs matter to families, and how stressful it can feel when support isn’t always there. That’s why we’re genuinely excited about the changes to CCS in 2026. These updates will make a real difference for families in our community.
From January, every family that’s eligible for the Child Care Subsidy will be guaranteed at least three days of subsidised care each week. More children will have the chance to learn, play and grow in quality care, and parents can feel reassured knowing they’ll have consistent support.
What’s Changing in CCS from January 2026
Here’s what families can expect from 5 January 2026:
- A guaranteed three days of care
No matter how much or how little you work, study or volunteer, your child will have access to 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. - Less pressure on parents
The new system removes the worry of meeting the activity test just to get the minimum hours. Families will get the help they need without extra hoops to jump through. - Extra support is still available
Families who meet the activity test can continue to receive up to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. First Nations families will also continue to receive 100 hours. - No new paperwork
You won’t need to reapply or fill out new forms. The changes will be applied automatically.
For so many families, this is welcome news. It means more breathing room to plan your week, less financial pressure, and the peace of mind that your child has a secure place in care.
Why this is good news for Canberra families
These changes to CCS in 2026 aren’t just about extra hours on paper. They’re about real relief for families. We know how tough it can be to balance work, study and family time while also keeping up with the cost of care. Having three guaranteed days of support takes away a lot of that pressure.
For parents working casual shifts or managing unpredictable rosters, this change means you won’t lose access to care just because your hours change. For families who’ve struggled to meet the activity test in the past, it means your child can still enjoy consistent days at early learning. And for children, it means more chances to learn, build friendships and feel secure in their routines.
Here in Canberra, where many families commute across town or juggle long days, having reliable CCS support will make planning much easier. At Coombs, we see how important that stability is every day, and we couldn’t be happier that more families will get it from next year.
Who Benefits Most (and what stays the same)
The changes to CCS in 2026 will be especially helpful for families who may have found the current system tricky to navigate.
- Families with casual or changing work hours
If your roster changes from week to week, you won’t lose access to care just because your activity hours drop. - Parents returning to work or study
If you’re easing back into the workforce or starting a new course, you’ll have three days of subsidised care guaranteed while you find your rhythm. - First Nations families
Children will continue to receive up to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, providing strong and consistent access to early learning.
- Families who struggled with the activity test
Meeting the minimum hours of subsidised care no longer depends on how much you work, study or volunteer.
And while these changes bring more flexibility, some parts of the Child Care Subsidy will stay the same:
- CCS is still income-tested.
- A gap fee (the difference between the subsidy and the daily fee) will still apply.
- Families meeting the activity test can still access up to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
At Coombs, we see firsthand how different every family’s circumstances can be. These changes are designed to take away some of the barriers that have made childcare difficult to access, while keeping the support structure familiar and reliable.
How the 3-Day Guarantee could look for your week
One of the best parts of the changes to CCS in 2026 is how flexible the 3-Day Guarantee can be. Every family has their own routine, and these 72 subsidised hours per fortnight can be used in a way that works best for you.
Here are some simple examples of how it might look:
For infants (6 weeks – 2 years)
- 3 full days each week (e.g. Mon, Wed, Fri)
- OR 2 longer days one week and 4 shorter half-days the next
For toddlers (2 – 3 years)
- 3 full days with consistent routines, helping with naps and meals
- OR 2 long days plus 2 half-days, giving flexibility for family time
For preschoolers (3 – 5 years)
- 3 long days that prepare children for the school routine
- OR spreading the 72 hours across shorter sessions for variety
Every family will have different needs. What matters is that you won’t lose your place in care if your work hours shift, or if you’re studying part-time. The 3-Day Guarantee means you’ll always have a foundation of support to rely on.
The Department of Education has shared more about how the 3-Day Guarantee works on their official update, but if you’d prefer a simple chat about how it applies to your family, we’re always here to guide you.
Real-life examples of savings and access
When we talk about the changes to CCS in 2026, the most important question parents ask us is: “What does this actually mean for my family?” The good news is that for most families, it will mean lower weekly bills and more consistent access to care.
Here’s what it could look like:
- A family with casual work hours
Before: They may have only qualified for one or two days of subsidised care, depending on their shifts.
After: They’ll have three guaranteed days, giving stability for their child and peace of mind for the parents. - A family planning for preschool
Before: Meeting the activity test determined whether they could access more than two days.
After: With the new guarantee, their child can consistently attend three days a week, supporting learning and friendships before school starts.
- A single parent studying part-time
Before: They may have worried about not meeting enough hours to keep their subsidy.
After: They’ll automatically have three days covered, without the stress of proving activity hours.
And the impact is significant. Every family across Australia will benefit, unless their household income exceeds $533,000 a year. More than 66,000 families will benefit straight away, with over 100,000 families gaining extra hours of support. That’s a lot of children enjoying more time in care, and a lot of parents seeing smaller childcare bills each week.
How We’ll Support You at Coombs
Big government changes can sometimes feel overwhelming, but we want you to know you don’t have to figure it out on your own. At Coombs, our team is here to walk you through what the changes to CCS in 2026 mean for your family.
When you enquire or book a tour, we’ll talk through how the 3-Day Guarantee might look in your week. We’ll help you check your CCS entitlements through Services Australia, and explain how those hours can be used. We’ll also keep families updated as the changes roll out, so you’ll always feel in the loop.
Most of all, we want you to feel supported. We know the relief that comes when bills are lower, routines are easier, and children are happy in care. These changes give families more of that and we’re here to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When do the changes start?
The new CCS rules begin on 5 January 2026. From that date, all CCS-eligible families will automatically receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
Q2. Do I still need to meet the activity test?
Not for the minimum three days. The 3-Day Guarantee means families will get those 72 hours regardless of their work, study or volunteering hours. If you meet the activity test, you can still access up to 100 hours per fortnight.
Q3. How many hours is three days?
Three days of care is equal to 72 hours per fortnight. The way this looks for your family will depend on the session lengths your provider offers. At Coombs, we’ll help you plan how those hours can be used.
Q4. Will this make childcare free?
No. You’ll still need to pay the gap fee, which is the difference between our daily fee and the subsidy you receive. What will change is that more families will have extra days subsidised, so your weekly bills should feel lighter.
Q5. Does every family get this support?
Almost every family across Australia will benefit. The only exception is households earning more than $533,000 a year. For everyone else, the 3-Day Guarantee will apply automatically.
Q6. What about First Nations families?
First Nations children will continue to receive 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, ensuring strong and consistent access to early learning.
Q7. Do I need to apply for the new hours?
No extra paperwork is needed. The subsidy will be updated automatically through Services Australia.
What this Means for our Families
For us at Coombs, these changes feel personal. We know so many of our families juggle long commutes, shift work and busy weeks. Having three guaranteed days of CCS support will take away some of that stress and give you more room to focus on what matters most.
We see how much children benefit from consistent days at early learning; the friendships they build, the confidence they grow and the routines that make them feel secure. Knowing that more Canberra families will now have access to this is something we’re truly excited about.
Ready to talk through your family’s options?
If you’d like to know how the new CCS changes could work for your family, we’d love to show you around. Book a tour, meet our educators and see how our programs give children the best start.
