Understanding the Child Care Subsidy in 2026
From January 2026, the Australian Government will introduce the 3-Day Guarantee to make early education more accessible for families across Australia. This change ensures that every eligible child can receive at least 72 hours of subsidised early learning per fortnight, no matter how many hours their parents work or study.
If you’re preparing for the upcoming childcare subsidy Canberra changes, now is the perfect time to check your Child Care Subsidy (CCS) entitlements and make sure your details are up to date.
If your child attends or will attend Coombs Early Learning Centre, reviewing your CCS information now will help you plan ahead with confidence. You can also check out our overview of CCS changes in 2026 to learn what’s changing under the new system.
How the Child Care Subsidy Works
The Child Care Subsidy reduces the amount families pay for approved early learning. Your subsidy rate depends on three factors:
- Combined family income
- Activity level (hours of work, study, or volunteering)
- Approved care type and your child’s age
- From January 2026, these rules will be simpler. The 3-Day Guarantee will change how the activity test works, meaning all families will have access to at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, regardless of activity level.
Families who work, study, or volunteer regularly may still receive up to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, depending on their activity hours.
Your CCS percentage (the amount the government pays) will continue to be based on your family income.
How to Check Your CCS Entitlements
You can check your CCS entitlements and eligibility anytime through your myGov account. Here’s how:
- Log in to myGov and link it to Centrelink if you haven’t already.
- Go to Services → Centrelink → Child Care Subsidy.
- Review your current CCS eligibility details, income estimate, and approved hours.
- Visit the Services Australia – Child Care Subsidy page to check the latest information and use their online tools to estimate how much subsidy your family may receive under the 2026 changes.
What to Look for When Reviewing Your Details
When checking your CCS information, make sure to review:
- Income estimate: Update it if your household income has changed.
- Activity test: Ensure your work or study hours are correctly recorded.
- Approved hours: Confirm how many hours of care per week you’re eligible for.
- Service details: Check that Coombs Early Learning is listed as your approved provider.
Regularly updating your information helps avoid payment delays and ensures your subsidy reflects your current situation.
Understanding CCS Hours and the Activity Test
Until 2026, the current activity test rules still apply. Your CCS hours are based on how much recognised activity you complete each fortnight:
- Less than 8 hours: 0 hours of subsidy (until the new guarantee begins)
- 8–16 hours: 36 hours subsidised care per fortnight
- 17–48 hours: 72 hours subsidised care per fortnight
- 48+ hours: 100 hours subsidised care per fortnight
From January 2026, every eligible family will automatically receive 72 hours (three days per week) of subsidised early learning, ensuring children can consistently access quality care.
Where to Find Reliable Information
To make sure you’re viewing accurate and up-to-date information, use official sources only:
- Services Australia – Child Care Subsidy
- StartingBlocks.gov.au for family resources and CCS calculators.
These sites explain how CCS entitlements are calculated and include tools to help estimate your benefits.
Getting Ready for the 3-Day Guarantee
The 3-Day Guarantee is a positive step for families, making quality early learning more accessible for everyone.
We know keeping up with Child Care Subsidy changes can feel confusing, but our team is here to help. Whether you’re new to Coombs or your child already attends, we can:
- Explain your CCS eligibility and how the new system applies to your family.
- Help you check or update your subsidy details.
- Guide you through the enrolment process and the upcoming 2026 changes.
With these updates coming soon, more families will be looking to secure quality care. Now is the best time to check your CCS entitlements and secure your place early.Contact Coombs Early Learning today for support with your Child Care Subsidy and get ready for the 2026 changes with confidence.
