Child Care Subsidy Calculator
The Child Care Subsidy Calculator helps families in Wollongong and across Australia estimate how much financial support they could receive toward early education and care costs. In just a few quick steps, you’ll see your likely CCS percentage, the number of subsidised hours you may be eligible for each fortnight, and an estimate of your out-of-pocket childcare expenses — so you can plan ahead and budget with confidence.
Our calculator is designed for families using childcare in Wollongong, including centre-based day care, family day care, preschools, and OSHC services. Simply enter your household income, recognised activity hours, type of care, hourly fee, and hours used. The tool uses the latest government settings and hourly rate caps to give you an accurate estimate of the support you might receive. For a full explanation of how the system works, visit our Child Care Subsidy guide.
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Why Use This Child Care Subsidy Calculator?
Budgeting for childcare is much easier when you can model real-world scenarios — and that’s exactly what this tool is built for. The Child Care Subsidy Calculator lets you experiment with different combinations of services, hours, and fees before you enrol, so you can make informed decisions about your family’s care options.
It’s especially helpful if you’re comparing Centre Based Day Care vs Family Day Care or planning changes to your work or study schedule that might affect your recognised activity hours. Because the calculator reflects current CCS rules and hourly rate caps, it offers a realistic estimate of what you’ll pay — helping you choose the right service for your child and budget with confidence.
Child Care Subsidy Calculator
Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Estimator – 2025–26
Estimated CCS %:
Eligible hourly fee (cap applied): $
Subsidised hours allowed: / fortnight
Estimated subsidy this fortnight: $
Estimated out-of-pocket this fortnight: $
This is a guide only. Figures are estimates and exclude ACCS and reconciliation/withholding. Always check your assessment in myGov or with your provider.
How to Use Our Child Care Subsidy Calculator
- Family income (annual) — Enter your total household income as reported to Centrelink/myGov (e.g.
95000). - Recognised activity hours / fortnight — Add your combined activity hours (work, study, volunteering, job seeking or unpaid work in a family business).
- Child rank (under 6) — Choose Eldest under 6 (standard rate) or Second/younger under 6 (higher rate) for multiple children under five.
- Care type — Select Centre Based Day Care (CBDC), Family Day Care (FDC), Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) or In-Home Care (IHC).
- Is the child school-aged? — Pick Yes/No (affects caps and eligibility for OSHC).
- Service hourly fee ($) — Enter the hourly fee your provider charges before subsidy (e.g.
12.50). - Hours used / fortnight — Estimate how many hours of care you’ll book each fortnight (e.g.
40). - Hit Calculate CCS to see your estimate.
This tool is a guide only. Your final CCS is determined by Services Australia.
What the Results Mean
- Estimated CCS % — Your projected subsidy percentage based on income, activity test, child rank and care type. (Output: “Estimated CCS %”)
- Eligible hourly fee (cap applied) — The hourly amount CCS can apply to after comparing your service’s fee with the relevant hourly rate cap. CCS uses the lower of the two. (Output: “Eligible hourly fee (cap applied)”)
- Subsidised hours allowed / fortnight — The maximum number of hours CCS may subsidise based on your recognised activity hours. (Output: “Subsidised hours allowed / fortnight”)
- Estimated subsidy this fortnight — Dollar value of CCS across your booked hours (up to your allowed hours). (Output: “Estimated subsidy this fortnight”)
- Estimated out-of-pocket this fortnight — Your gap fee after subsidy for the period. (Output: “Estimated out-of-pocket this fortnight”)
Many families are surprised to learn how much the Child Care Subsidy can reduce their overall costs. Because CCS is calculated based on income, activity hours, and the type of care, two households with similar circumstances might receive very different subsidy percentages. Using a calculator before you enrol lets you compare different care options and understand how changes — such as increasing work hours or choosing a service with a lower hourly fee — can influence the amount of support you receive. The results from the Child Care Subsidy Calculator are not just numbers; they’re a valuable tool for planning your budget, exploring different care types, and making confident decisions about your child’s early learning journey.
Inputs Explained (Quick Reference)
- Family income (annual): Determines your CCS % (up to ~90% for lower incomes, tapering as income rises).
- Recognised activity hours / fortnight: Sets your subsidised hours tier. Includes work, study, volunteering and job seeking.
- Child rank (under 6): Younger siblings under five may receive a higher CCS rate than the eldest.
- Care type: Each has its own hourly rate cap — CBDC, FDC, OSHC, IHC.
- Is the child school-aged?: Affects eligibility/caps for OSHC vs CBDC/FDC.
- Service hourly fee ($): What your provider charges; CCS compares this to the relevant cap.
- Hours used / fortnight: Total hours you expect to book; CCS applies up to your allowed hours.
Wollongong Examples
- CBDC, two working parents (Figtree): Income
$120,000, activity100+hours, CBDC, not school-aged, fee$14.50, hours40. Calculator shows a solid CCS %, eligible fee capped if above the CBDC cap, and a reduced gap fee per fortnight. - FDC, part-time worker (Dapto): Income
$78,000, activity36hours, FDC, not school-aged, fee$12.80, hours28. Fewer subsidised hours but strong percentage keeps the weekly gap manageable. - OSHC, school-aged (Woonona): Income
$95,000, activity80hours, OSHC, school-aged, fee$11.00, hours10. CCS applies to OSHC caps; out-of-pocket depends on booked sessions.
Examples are illustrative only — use your own figures for accuracy.
Local Tips for Wollongong Families
- Request a fee schedule (what’s included: meals, nappies, programs) to compare apples-to-apples.
- Popular centres near the Wollongong CBD or along the Princes Motorway can book out; run estimates early.
- If you have multiple children under 5, select the correct child rank to model the higher rate for younger siblings.
In a region like Wollongong — where demand for early learning is strong and fees can vary widely between suburbs — having access to a Child Care Subsidy Calculator can make a real difference. It allows you to experiment with scenarios, estimate the financial impact of part-time versus full-time care, and understand how your subsidy might change if you have multiple children under six. For many local families, the calculator is an essential first step in comparing services, planning return-to-work schedules, and ensuring childcare remains both affordable and sustainable.
Next Steps
The Child Care Subsidy Calculator is most effective when used as part of a broader planning strategy. Once you know your estimated CCS percentage and expected out-of-pocket cost, you can explore different providers, compare inclusions, and even plan for future changes in income or family circumstances. This proactive approach helps families maximise their subsidy entitlement while choosing care options that support their children’s development and align with their financial goals. Some important next steps for Wollongong parents are:
- Learn how CCS works in detail on our Wollongong Child Care Subsidy guide (eligibility, rates, application steps).
- Browse services that accept CCS in our Childcare in Wollongong directory.
- Shortlist a few centres and ask for their hourly fee and inclusions—then re-run the calculator to compare gap fees.
Frequently Asked Questions – Child Care Subsidy Calculator Wollongong
Q: Does this calculator submit anything to Centrelink?
A: No. It’s a private estimator for your planning only.
Q: Why is my estimate different from my service’s quote?
A: Providers may charge different fees, apply different booking patterns, or include extras. CCS is also capped by the hourly rate cap—we show how that can affect your result.
Q: Do part-time hours still qualify for CCS?
A: Yes. Recognised activity includes part-time work, study, volunteering and job-seeking. Fewer hours usually mean fewer subsidised hours.
Q: Will my result change if my income changes?
A: Yes. Update income and activity hours in the calculator (and in myGov) to keep your estimate aligned with reality.
Q: Does CCS apply to OSHC and vacation care?
A: Yes, if the provider is approved. Select OSHC to model school-aged care costs.
