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Fees

Understanding your childcare costs and the support available to your family.

Childcare Subsidies

The Child Care Subsidy helps reduce the cost of childcare for eligible families. The amount you receive depends on your household income and individual circumstances.

At SOMA, we help families understand how the subsidy applies and what their expected out-of-pocket costs may be. We are here to help you navigate the paperwork and the process.

*These estimates have been calculated based on one child in care, 100 hours of care per fortnight and a rate of 5% Child Care Subsidy Withholding.

Normally 5% of your Child Care Subsidy entitlement will be withheld by the Family Assistance Office until the end-of-year reconciliation. This balance will be paid back to families in their tax return if they are eligible.

If you have more than one child in care, the second and any other subsequent children will be entitled to the Higher Child Care Subsidy rate. Contact us for a personalised fee estimate.

Subsidies Available

Child Care Subsidy %
Estimated Gap Fees
95%
$15.60 per day
90%
$23.20 per day
85%
$30.80 per day
80%
$38.40 per day
75%
$46.00 per day
70%
$53.60 per day
65%
$61.20 per day
60%
$68.80 per day
55%
$76.40 per day
50%
$84.00 per day
45%
$91.60 per day
40%
$99.20 per day
35%
$106.80 per day
30%
$114.40 per day
25%
$122.00 per day
20%
$129.60 per day
15%
$137.20 per day
*These estimates have been calculated based on one child in care, 100 hours of care per fortnight and a rate of 5% Child Care Subsidy Withholding.

Normally 5% of your Child Care Subsidy entitlement will be withheld by the Family Assistance Office until the end-of-year reconciliation. This balance will be paid back to families in their tax return if they are eligible.

If you have more than one child in care, the second and any other subsequent children will be entitled to the Higher Child Care Subsidy rate. Contact us for a personalised fee estimate.

3-Day Guarantee

Preparing children for school with structure, confidence, and curiosity.

From January 2026, the 3-Day Guarantee will allow more families to access subsidised childcare. This means up to 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, making early learning more accessible regardless of work or study requirements.

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Key Benefits of the 2026 Changes

These changes are designed to make early learning more accessible and affordable for families.

01

More Access to Childcare

More families will be eligible for subsidised care, regardless of employment or study hours.

02

Increased Subsidised Hours

Up to 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight provides greater flexibility for families.

03

Reduced Out-of-Pocket Costs

Lower weekly childcare costs help make quality early learning more affordable.

04

Support for More Families

The subsidy continues to support a wide range of families based on income and circumstances.

Example Savings

These changes could mean significant savings for families depending on their situation.

Three Days a Week

A family may see a noticeable reduction in weekly costs under the updated subsidy, freeing up more of your budget.

More Subsidised Hours

Families previously limited by activity requirements may now access more subsidised hours, reducing overall expenses.

SOMAs modern outdoor play area with wooden deck, play bikes, plants, and shaded steps under blue sky.

Eligibility

To receive the Child Care Subsidy, families must meet income and residency requirements. While the activity test is being removed for the first 72 hours, the subsidy will still be means-tested.

Key Points:

1

Income thresholds apply.

2

Australian residency is required.

3

Subsidy remains means-tested.

4

Additional support (ACCS) may be available for specific circumstances.
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