Early childhood education and care is any service that cares for children before primary school. This includes day care, child care and preschool.
Get a payment
There are payments to help with costs of care.
Family Tax Benefit (FTB) is a 2-part payment that can help with the cost of raising a child.
Parenting Payment is income support you may be able to get if you’re the principal carer for a child who is either:
- under 14 if you’re single
- under 6 if you’re partnered.
If your youngest child is older, you may be able to claim Jobseeker Payment.
Using child care
If you’re using child care, Child Care Subsidy (CCS) can help with the cost of care.
You may also be able to get Additional Child Care Subsidy if you’re in any of the following situations:
- studying, training, looking for a job or working
- experiencing temporary financial hardship
- caring for your grandchild.
Caring for a newborn or recently adopted child
If you’re caring for a newborn or recently adopted child, you may be able to get Parental Leave Pay.
Caring for a grandchild or foster child
If you’re caring for a child whose parents can’t care for them or have died, you may be able to get Double Orphan Pension.
Check what other payments we have for non-parent carers, including grandparent carers. There’s extra support for grandparent carers.
Use our online services
If you’re not yet set up for online services, find out how to create an online account.
Medicare
If your Medicare online account is linked to myGov, sign in now to get your child’s immunisation history statement.
You can also use the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.
Centrelink
If your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, sign in now to:
- claim and manage CCS, FTB and other payments
- confirm a child care enrolment so you don’t miss out on CCS.
You can also use the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.
Find a child care service or preschool
Use Starting Blocks to find a child care service or preschool near you.
Every child can get a year of free or subsidised preschool or kindergarten. This must be the year before they start school. Read about finding and paying for preschool on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website.
Before you enrol your child
You should claim CCS before your child starts care. Check who can get Child Care Subsidy.
Your child needs certain vaccinations before they start care. We cover the cost of all vaccines in the National Immunisation Program. To find out which ones your child needs, read about immunisation for children on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.