You can get 100 hours of subsidised child care if you meet one of the following. You:
- are temporarily outside Australia for up to a maximum of 6 weeks
- have disability or medical condition that stops you from working
- get Carer Payment
- provide constant care for a child or adult with a disability or medical condition
- are in prison or psychiatric confinement.
If you have a partner, we’ll look at both of your activity levels. We’ll use the lower of your or your partner’s activity level to work out your hours of subsidised child care. This applies even if one of you has an exemption.
There are other situations when you can be exempt from the Child Care Subsidy activity levels.
If you or your partner have 65% or more care of a grandchild or great grandchild. you can get 100 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight for your grandchild or great-grandchild.
If a child in your care has received get Additional Child Care Subsidy Child Wellbeing for a continuous period of 6 months, or more, and is no longer eligible for Additional Child Care Subsidy Child Wellbeing you may be entitled to 100 hours of subsidised care for them for 18 months from the date their Additional Child Care Subsidy payment stops.
We assess this on a case by case basis. Please call the Families line to discuss your circumstances.
If you’re facing circumstances that impact your ability to either:
- do recognised activities
- care for your child.
For example, you may be exempt from the Activity test if you’re affected by family and domestic violence or experiencing serious illness.
We assess all exceptional circumstances on a case by case basis. Please call the Families line to discuss your circumstances.
If your child attends an early education program, such as preschool, you may get at least 36 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight. You can get this if all of the following apply:
- you’re entitled to less than 36 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight
- you have a child in an early educational program, such as preschool or kindergarten
- it’s the year before your child starts primary school
- it’s a centre-based day care service - this is long day care and occasional care.
You can get at least 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight if both apply:
- you’re a Parent Pathways participant
- you’re getting an eligible income support payment.
Read more about Parent Pathways.
If you were participating in ParentsNext when it ceased on 31 October 2024, you’ll continue to get at least 36 hours of subsidised care until 11 May 2025.
If you have mutual obligation requirements, you can access at least 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. You must also be getting one of these payments:
If you’re getting, Carer Allowance you’ll be able to access 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
Contact numbers available on this page.
Centrelink families line
Use this line if you need help with family payments, such as Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Subsidy or Parental Leave Pay.
There are other ways you may want to contact us.