What is Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?
The government provides financial assistance to help reduce the cost of approved childcare services. The Child Care Subsidy is paid directly to Amana OSHC, which reduces the fees you pay before billing.
The amount of CCS you receive depends on several factors, including your family’s income, the type of childcare you use, and the hours you and your partner work, along with other recognised activities aimed at improving your skills.
Eligibility & Criteria
The percentage of Child Care Subsidy you are entitled to is based on your family’s income. You can visit the Services Australia website to learn how to claim and read more about how the number of children you have in care can impact your CCS.
Recognised Activities
Some examples of recognised activities include:
- Paid work (including annual and parental leave)
- Self-employment
- Starting a new business
- Unpaid work in a family business
- Enrolment in an approved study or training program
- Actively seeking employment
- Volunteering
- Other activities as assessed on a case-by-case basis
Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS)
The Additional Child Care Subsidy offers further support to families facing unique challenges. This includes grandparents and great-grandparents, families transitioning from income support payments to work, and those experiencing temporary financial hardship.
ACCS may also be provided in situations where a child is, or has been, at risk of serious abuse or neglect. For further discussion, contact Amana OSHC’s support team at 1300 200 262 for a confidential conversation with a specialist.
Child Care Subsidy for Siblings
If you have more than one child under the age of five in care, you may be eligible for a higher CCS for one or more of your children. Centrelink will assess your family’s situation to determine which child qualifies for the ‘higher rate’ and which qualifies for the ‘standard rate.’
Generally, the ‘standard rate child’ is the eldest eligible child under 5, and the ‘higher rate child’ refers to any younger eligible children. For the ‘higher rate child,’ you may receive an additional 30% on your CCS rate, up to a maximum of 95%.
If you have children aged 6 and above or only one child under 5, the standard CCS rate will continue to apply.
How to Apply for CCS
Before registering your child at Amana OSHC, it is recommended that you apply for CCS as early as possible, as new claims can only be backdated for 28 days.
Follow these steps:
- If you don’t have one already, create a MyGov account, as this is the main communication between you and the government.
- Complete your CCS application.
- Confirm your activity hours with Centrelink.
- Make your childcare bookings with Amana OSHC via OWNA.
- Provide Amana OSHC with the Date of Birth (DOB) and Customer Reference Number (CRN) of each child and the parent applying for CCS.
- When prompted, log in to MyGov and confirm your child’s enrolment for Out of School Hours Care.
Billing
If your CCS has not been applied or has changed recently, it could be due to one of the following reasons:
- Your activity test results have expired.
- You’ve recently updated your activity test, and your CCS is being recalculated.
- You’ve submitted an ACCS claim, and it is pending.
- You haven’t yet confirmed your child’s enrolment with Amana OSHC.
- Your ACCS claim has expired or ended.
- Your child has not attended an Amana OSHC service for 14 continuous weeks.
- Your child’s enrolment has been cancelled after 14 weeks of non-attendance.
- You’ve exceeded the allowable absences (52 per child per financial year).
- From 11 July 2022, children who haven’t attended a session for 26 consecutive weeks will no longer be eligible for CCS.
Important Reminders
- Your CCS application must be approved by Centrelink before any subsidy can be applied.
- Your Amana OSHC account and enrolment must be confirmed for CCS to be processed.
- Changes in your circumstances or extended absences can lead to recalculations of your CCS.