CCS Funding
Understanding the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
The child care benefits scheme can seem overwhelming and confusing process. That is why we’ve created the following guide to help you through the process. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is an Australian Government initiative designed to help with the cost of child care. This page provides a detailed overview of the CCS, including eligibility, how it's calculated, and how to apply.
Please note: Cottage Grove does not determine your CCS eligibility or payment amounts. This information is intended as a general guide. For specific details related to your family's situation, please contact Services Australia or access your MyGov account.
What is the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?
The CCS is a payment from the Australian Government that helps families with the cost of approved child care. Once you’re approved and you’ve provided us with your CRN, the funding is paid directly to us at Cottage Grove, reducing the fees you pay.
The Australian government is committed to ensuring that every family in the country can access high quality and affordable childcare. This government funding helps to provide financial assistance to parents, supporting you to cover the costs of your childcare requirements.
Who is Eligible for CCS?
To be eligible for CCS, you generally need to meet the following criteria:
Your child must:
Be 13 years or younger and not attending secondary school (unless an exemption applies).
Meet immunisation requirements.
You (and your partner) must:
Meet residency requirements (generally be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a special category visa).
Be liable for paying child care fees under a Complying Written Arrangement with Cottage Grove, an approved provider.
Have a Customer Reference Number (CRN).
How is the Child Care Subsidy Calculated?
The amount of CCS you receive depends on three key factors:
1. Your Family's Adjusted Taxable Income:
This determines the percentage of subsidy you'll receive. Lower-income families receive a higher percentage. The subsidy percentage decreases as income increases. The maximum CCS rate can be up to 90% for eligible families.
2. Your Activity Level:
This determines the number of subsidised care hours you can access per fortnight. Recognised activities include:
Paid work (including self-employment)
Study and training
Looking for work
Volunteering
Other recognised activities.
The higher your activity level, the more hours of subsidised care you may be eligible for, up to a maximum of 100 hours per fortnight per child. If you and your partner have different activity levels, the lower of the two generally applies. Exemptions may apply in certain circumstances.
3. The Hourly Rate Cap:
The government sets an hourly rate cap for different types of approved child care. Your CCS will be calculated based on the lower of our hourly fee or the relevant hourly rate cap.
Families with Multiple Children:
Families with more than one child aged five or under in child care may be eligible for a higher subsidy.
In simple terms, the CCS amount is calculated as:
(Our Hourly Fee OR the Hourly Rate Cap, whichever is lower) x Your CCS Percentage x Your Eligible Hours
This subsidised amount is then deducted from your total child care fees.
How to Apply for CCS
You can apply for CCS through your MyGov account. Here’s how:
Log in to your MyGov account and navigate to Centrelink.
Provide the necessary information and documentation as requested.
Use the CCS calculator available through Services Australia to estimate your entitlements.
Important: It's crucial to keep your information up to date with Services Australia to ensure you receive the correct amount of CCS and avoid overpayment.
We hope this information helps you understand the Child Care Subsidy. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us or Services Australia.