Big news is coming for families across Queensland, and it’s something worth getting excited about! From 5 January 2026, the Australian Government will introduce changes to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to make early learning more accessible, consistent, and affordable for more children. Your little ones will have even more time in quality early learning.

What are the Child Care Subsidy Changes in 2026?

The 3 Day Guarantee: Families Can Receive 72 Hours of Child Care Subsidy

At present, to receive CCS, families must pass an activity test. This checks how many hours are spent on approved activities, such as working, studying, volunteering or job-seeking. If a family does not meet the test, they may only get 24 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.

In the new CCS changes being implemented in January 2026, CCS-eligible families, regardless of the parents’ or carers’ activity hours or employment status, will receive a guaranteed 72 hours of early childhood education and care (ECEC) per fortnight – equivalent to 3 fully subsidised days per week. Hence, the initiative is called 3 Day Guarantee. 

With the first 72 hours subsidised, families enjoy great savings on childcare.

Are ALL families entitled to receive subsidised care under the 3 Day Guarantee?

No, the 3 Day Guarantee is available only to families who:

• Have a household income below $535,279
• Meet Australian residency requirements

Even though the activity test is abolished, the CCS will remain ‘means tested’, meaning the subsidy amount still depends on the household income.

Some Families Can Get 100 Hours (More than 3 Days) of Child Care Subsidy

Families can receive up to 100 hours of child care every fortnight if they:

• have an exemption or experience exceptional circumstances,
• receive Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) child wellbeing, temporary financial hardship or grandparent payments
• have more than 48 hours each fortnight of recognised participation

Entitlements For First Nations Families

Families caring for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child will automatically receive 100 hours of subsidised care every fortnight for each child, no activity test required and regardless of participation hours.

Why These Changes Matter for Your Child

The Productivity Commission’s report, “A path to universal early childhood education and care”, released in September 2024, highlighted a significant concern: Children and families most likely to benefit from ECEC are the least likely to attend.

The 3 Day Guarantee aims to change that by ensuring every child has access to at least 3 days per week of early learning opportunities that help them feel secure, build consistent friendships, and settle confidently into their learning environment and build their school readiness.

For working families, it also means:

• More certainty – You no longer have to worry about losing subsidised hours if your work hours drop or life gets busy.
• Real cost pressures – Three guaranteed subsidised days mean hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars stay in your pocket each year that you can use for other expenses.
• Flexibility for modern families – Whether you’re shift workers, looking for employment, studying part-time or juggling multiple children, the new rules work with your life.

What Do Families Need to Do?

• If you already receive CCS, nothing changes on your end. Your entitlements will update automatically. Note that you will still need to pay a gap fee, which is the difference between the subsidy amount and the daily rate that Amaze charges. 
• First Nations families – If you’d like the full 100 hours for your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child, simply update your details through your Centrelink online account. 
• If you’re new to CCS, you can apply anytime at Services Australia. The process remains the same.

Are You Ready to Make the Most of the Child Care Subsidy Changes in 2026?

At Amaze, we’re excited to see more littlies and families benefit from the upcoming child care subsidy changes or 3 Day Guarantee. It’s about giving every child the gift of quality early education and giving parents and families real breathing room.

We can’t wait to welcome more smiling faces for those extra days of play-based learning, fun and friendships! If you have any questions about how the changes will affect your family, or want to secure your preferred days, please give us a call and speak to one of our team or book a tour to discover what makes our centres great. We’re happy to help.

Let’s make 2026 the best learning year for your little one!

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