Child Care Benefit (CCB) rate 007-03060000

The rate of Child Care Benefit (CCB), depending on what type of CCB the customer is claiming (approved or registered), will be determined on a number of factors including the type of child care provided, child care attendance, family income and the number of children in care. The rate of CCB is based on the standard hourly rate for a particular type of care.

The standard hourly rate for CCB depends on the type of care provided, the amount of care and when the care occurs. There are four different rates:

• approved care standard hourly rate
• approved care family day care - an additional loading applies
• approved care long day care part-time hourly rate
• registered care rate

The online estimator can be used to calculate a family's potential Child Care Benefit (CCB) and Child Care Rebate (CCR) entitlement and out-of-pocket child care expenses for approved care.

CCB for approved care is income tested unless the customer receives an income support payment. Families CCB entitlements may be reduced to the zero rate by the income test but they are still considered eligible for CCB (if all eligibility criteria met) and therefore can be eligible for the Child Care Rebate (CCR). Families may also choose to receive a zero rate of CCB entitlement.

Registered care is not income tested and is paid at the registered care rate.

Indexation of CCB rate

Child Care Benefit (CCB) is indexed in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on the first Monday in July of each financial year. Indexation involves increasing or decreasing (depending on movement in the CPI) the following factors used in the CCB rate calculator:

• standard hourly rate
• income thresholds

Annual review notifications are sent to customers, advising a change in rate has occurred for the new CCB financial year due to changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Letters sent via normal mail or online will contain the new CCB percentage after indexation has been applied. Customers who receive their notification via Electronic Message (EM) will be directed to access their new rate via online services.