From 10 July the Federal Government's new Child Care Subsidy (CCS) changes will take effect, with the aim of making early learning (child care) services more affordable for families.
As the deadline approaches, there is much speculation from families, the media and of course the Australian Government in terms of whether families will be better off financially as a result of these changes, or whether the increased government funding will be cancelled out by end of financial year fee increases.
ACA continues to engage with Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly and other key Ministers as well as the media around this important question and expected outcomes.
Broadly, the changes include:
- The maximum amount of CCS is increasing from 85% to 90%;
- Families earning $80,000 or less will get a CCS rate of 90%;
- Families earning over $80,000 get a CCS rate that decreases by 1% for each $5,000 of family income. This rate reaches 0% for families earning $530,000;
- Families earning below $362,408 with more than one child aged 5 or under in care can still get a higher rate for their second and younger children;
- Families with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child in their care can get at least 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
Providers, services and families can visit childcaresubsidy.gov.au to find out what the changes mean for them. There is a range of resources available, including:
- printable factsheets and posters
- videos
- translated materials.
Providers can learn more on the Department's family eligibility and entitlement page.
Families can use the CCS Calculator on the Starting Blocks website to find out what their future rates may be. Families can get more information on the Services Australia website.