How much does childcare cost in Australia after CCS?
If you have started looking at childcare, you have probably seen daily fees that look high and thought, “How do families afford this?”
Here is the part many parents miss at first. The advertised daily rate is not what most families end up paying. Your real cost depends on the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), your family income and your activity hours. Once CCS is applied, your out-of-pocket amount can be very different from the headline fee.
Quick answer: what you pay is the gap fee
The amount you pay after CCS is applied is often called the gap fee. In simple terms:
Centre charges a daily fee
CCS covers a percentage (up to a limit)
You pay the remainder (the gap fee)
What affects childcare cost after CCS?
1) Your family income
Your income is one of the biggest factors. In general, a lower family income means a higher CCS percentage, and a higher family income means a lower CCS percentage.
If you’re unsure where your household fits, you can read our guide on what income qualifies for the Child Care Subsidy.
2) Your activity level (work, study, training, volunteering)
CCS is also linked to activity hours. Your activity level can affect how many subsidised hours you can access each fortnight. This matters a lot if you are booking more days than your subsidised hours cover.
3) The daily fee and the hourly rate cap
Even if your CCS percentage is high, the subsidy is usually applied up to an hourly rate cap. If a centre charges above the cap, you may pay more out of pocket for the portion above the cap.
4) How many days you book
Most parents compare “daily fees”, but budgeting is easier when you look at weekly cost. Two extra days a week can change your gap fee quickly, especially if your activity hours do not cover those extra hours.
A simple childcare cost example (with real numbers)
Example only (figures vary by provider, session length and your circumstances):
Daily fee charged by the centre: $150
Your CCS rate: 70%
What it can look like:
Government contribution: $150 x 70% = $105
Your gap fee: $150 - $105 = $45 per day
If your child attends 3 days per week, your weekly out-of-pocket estimate could be:
$45 x 3 days = $135 per week
Of course, your actual result can change if your centre fee is above the hourly cap, if your CCS percentage is different, or if your activity hours affect your subsidised hours.
Want a quicker estimate? Use the CCS calculator
Rather than doing this manually, you can estimate your weekly out-of-pocket cost using our CCS calculator. It is a quick way to get a clearer picture before you compare centres or lock in days.
Why two families can pay totally different fees at the same centre
This is very common, and it is why fee comparisons can feel confusing. Two families can both be paying the same daily rate, but their gap fees can be very different because of:
Different family incomes
Different activity hours
Different booked days and session lengths
Different CCS percentages and subsidised hours
What changed in childcare subsidy 2026 and why it matters for your budget
CCS settings and government policies can change over time, and that can affect the cost families pay. If you are reading this in 2026, it is smart to check the latest CCS information and use an up-to-date estimate for your situation.
A good rule: if your family income, work hours, or care days have changed since last year, your CCS outcome may also change. Even a small shift can alter your weekly gap fee.
How to budget childcare costs the easy way
If you want a simple plan that works for most families, do this:
Pick the number of days you are thinking about (for example, 2, 3, or 4 days per week)
Estimate your out-of-pocket fees after CCS for that number of days
Then compare centres using weekly cost, not just daily fees
It is also worth checking what is included in the daily fee. Some centres include meals, nappies, wipes, sunscreen, or extra programs, while others may charge extra for some items.
Common mistakes that make childcare seem more expensive than it is
Comparing centres only by the daily fee
Daily fee alone is not the real cost. The out-of-pocket amount after CCS is what matters for your budget.
Booking more days than your subsidised hours cover
This can increase your weekly gap fee fast. If your care days and activity hours do not align, your subsidised hours may not cover all booked hours.
Not updating details when life changes
If your income changes, work hours change, or family situation changes, your CCS outcome may change too.
FAQs about childcare costs after CCS
How much do most families pay after CCS?
There is no single number that fits everyone. Families with similar centre fees can pay very different gap fees depending on income and activity hours. The best approach is to estimate your own weekly cost for the days you want.
Is CCS applied automatically?
CCS is managed through government services and is paid to your provider, then reflected on your invoice. If anything changes (income, activity, care days), it is worth checking that your details are current.
Why did my childcare fees change even though the daily rate did not?
This can happen if your CCS percentage changes, your activity hours change, or your subsidised hours do not cover all booked hours. It can also happen if a provider changes fees or session structures.
What is the fastest way to estimate our weekly childcare cost?
After you understand the basic maths (daily fee, CCS percentage, gap fee), the fastest way is to estimate your weekly out-of-pocket amount for the number of days you want.
Next step: estimate your childcare costs, then book a tour
If you are comparing care options, start by working out an estimated weekly budget. Then you can book a tour and ask the centre about what is included in fees, session times and anything that could affect your final cost.
If you would like a quick estimate before you decide on days, you can also use our child care subsidy calculator to get a clearer starting point.
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