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We understand that navigating the world of child care subsidies can be daunting. Here at Sanctuary, we aim to make this process as smooth and straightforward as possible for our families. Below, we will guide you through the essentials of the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), including how to get started, what you need to know, and how we manage the CCS at our centres.
Firstly, what is the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?
The Child Care Subsidy is a government initiative designed to help Australian families manage the cost of child care. It replaces the previous Child Care Benefit (CCB) and Child Care Rebate (CCR) with a single, means-tested subsidy. The CCS takes into account your combined family income, the level of recognised activity you and your partner undertake, and the type of approved child care service you use.
Getting started with CCS
Undertake an eligibility check:
To be eligible for CCS, you must:
- Care for a child 13 or younger who is not attending secondary school.
Use an approved child care service. - Be responsible for paying the child care fees.
- Meet residency requirements.
Create a Centrelink account:
If you don’t already have one, you will need to create a Centrelink online account through myGov. This will be your portal for managing your CCS claims.
Submit a claim
Log in to your myGov account, link it to Centrelink, and follow the prompts to submit a Child Care Subsidy claim. You’ll need to provide details about your family income, employment status, and the type of child care service you’re using.
What parents need to know
Activity Test: The number of subsidised hours of child care you can access per fortnight depends on the amount of recognised activity you do. This includes work, study, training, and volunteering.
Income assessment: The subsidy percentage you are entitled to is based on your combined family income. The higher your income, the lower the subsidy percentage.
Understand the cap: If your family combined income is under $530, 280 chances are your percentage has changed or you may now actually be eligible to receive a subsidy.
Families earning up to $83, 280 (combined) will receive a 90% subsidy.
If your combined family income is more than $83, 280 but less than $530, 280, your subsidy starts at 90% and decreases by 1% for every $5000 your family earns over this amount.
How we manage CCS at Sanctuary
At Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure, we handle the system aspects of the CCS to ensure that you receive your subsidy amount without any hassle.
Here’s how we do it:
Enrolment: When you enrol your child at our centre, we will assist you with the necessary paperwork and ensure your details are correctly entered into the system.
Regular updates: We provide regular updates and reminders to keep you informed about any changes or requirements regarding your CCS. We will also encourage you to speak with Centrelink when appropriate.
Fee deductions: The CCS amount is directly deducted from your child care fees, meaning you only pay the gap fee (the amount not covered by the subsidy).
Support: Our team is always available to answer any questions you might have and to assist where possible with any issues related to your CCS.
Using Our CCS Calculator
To simplify things further, we encourage you to use our Child Care Subsidy Calculator. This tool helps you estimate the amount of CCS you might be entitled to and what your out-of-pocket costs could be.
Understanding and managing your Child Care Subsidy doesn’t have to be complicated. At Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure, we are here to support you every step of the way. Whether you are just getting started or need assistance with your existing CCS, our dedicated team is always ready to help. Visit our website or contact your centre directly for more personalised support.
For more detailed information about the Child Care Subsidy, visit the Services Australia website.
Let Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure be your partner in navigating the Child Care Subsidy and providing the best start for your child.
