Childcare is one of the biggest costs for young families — but the Australian Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) can cover a large share of your fees. If you’re a Footscray family weighing up early learning, here’s a clear, jargon-free guide to how CCS works and how to claim it.
What is the Child Care Subsidy?
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a payment from the Australian Government that helps families with the cost of approved childcare. Rather than being paid to you, the subsidy is paid to your childcare centre, reducing the fees you pay out of pocket. Whitehall Early Learning Centre is a CCS-approved service, so eligible families can use their subsidy with us.
Who is eligible?
To receive CCS, you generally need to:
- care for a child 13 or under who isn’t attending secondary school
- use an approved childcare service
- be responsible for paying the childcare fees
- meet Australian residency and immunisation requirements
How much subsidy will I get?
Your subsidy percentage depends mainly on two things: your family’s combined income and the hours of recognised activity (such as work, study, training or volunteering) you and your partner do. Lower-income families receive a higher percentage, and the number of subsidised hours rises with your activity level.
Rates and income thresholds change each year, so the easiest way to estimate your out-of-pocket cost is to use our CCS calculator or check the latest figures at Services Australia.
How to claim CCS
You claim CCS through your Centrelink online account via myGov. It’s best to start your claim before your child begins care:
- Set up a myGov account and link Centrelink.
- Complete the Child Care Subsidy claim.
- Confirm your child’s enrolment details once you’ve enrolled.
- Keep your income estimate and activity details up to date.
Using your subsidy at Whitehall
As a CCS-approved centre in Footscray, we keep things simple. Once you’ve enrolled and confirmed your enrolment in myGov, your subsidy is applied directly to your fees. Explore our early learning programs for children from six weeks to six years, or register your interest to get started.
Quick checklist
- Set up myGov + link Centrelink
- Submit your CCS claim before care starts
- Enrol with an approved centre (like Whitehall)
- Confirm enrolment in myGov
- Estimate your gap fee with the CCS calculator
At Whitehall Early Learning Centre, helping families understand the Child Care Subsidy is just one part of our nurturing childcare in Footscray, where we care for children from 6 weeks to 6 years. We’d love to show you around. Families from nearby suburbs are welcome too — see our pages on childcare in Seddon and childcare in Kingsville.
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re a family in Footscray, Seddon, Kingsville or the surrounding inner west, we’d love to show you around and help you work out your subsidy.
This article is general information only and is not financial advice. Child Care Subsidy rates, thresholds and rules can change — please check Services Australia (servicesaustralia.gov.au) for the most current details, or use our CCS calculator for an estimate based on your circumstances.