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Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) 007-17103100

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This document outlines Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS).

Government intent

The intent of the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) is to simplify the current child care assistance suite of payments. It will provide better targeted assistance for low and middle income families and additional support for vulnerable families.

CCS replaces Child Care Benefit (CCB) and Child Care Rebate (CCR). ACCS replaces Special Child Care Benefit, Grandparent Child Care Benefit, and Jobs Education and Training Child Care Fee Assistance.

CCS and ACCS commenced 2 July 2018.

Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Child Care Subsidy (CCS):

  • is income and activity tested
  • is based on actual hourly session fees capped for each service
  • is for children attending an approved child care service
  • is paid directly to the approved child care service in arrears, and
  • is passed onto families as a fee reduction

Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS)

Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) provides targeted additional fee assistance to families and children facing barriers in accessing affordable child care.

Families may be able to access further assistance through ACCS in the following circumstances:

  • ACCS (grandparent) - for grandparents receiving an income support payment who have 65% or more care of a grandchild and substantial responsibility for the day to day decisions about the care and welfare of the child
  • ACCS (temporary financial hardship) - short term assistance for families experiencing significant financial stress due to exceptional circumstances
  • ACCS (transition to work) - for families transitioning to work from an income support payment with a Job Plan (Participation Plan) or Disability Support Pension Participation Plan, or undertaking an approved study or training activity
  • ACCS (child wellbeing) - to support the safety and wellbeing of children (claimed by approved child care services only)

ACCS hierarchy

A customer can only be eligible for one type of Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) payment at a time for a session of care.

The order of hierarchy for ACCS is:

  • ACCS (child wellbeing)
  • ACCS(grandparent)
  • ACCS (temporary financial hardship)
  • ACCS (transition to work)
  • Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Where a customer is eligible for more than one type of ACCS for a session of care, the type of ACCS higher in the hierarchy will take precedence. For example, if a customer meets the criteria for ACCS (grandparent) and ACCS (temporary financial hardship) for a session of care, they will be assessed as eligible for ACCS (grandparent).

Contents

Transitional arrangements for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS)

Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) claims

Eligibility for Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Entitlement for Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Activity Test for Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Assessing Child Care Subsidy (CCS) claims

Child Care Subsidy (CCS) payments and adjustments

New Financial Year Assessments (NFYA) for Family Tax Benefit (FTB) and Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Roles and responsibilities in the administration of Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS)

Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) (transition to work)

Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) (grandparent)

Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) (temporary financial hardship)

Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) (child wellbeing)

Reconciliation of Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Cancellation of Child Care Subsidy (CCS)