If you’re a working parent in Australia, you’ve likely heard about the recent changes to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Since 5 January 2026, a landmark reform known as the 3-Day Guarantee has come into effect, giving eligible families access to at least three days of subsidised child care each week—including before and after school care. Here’s what this means for your family and how Amana OSHC can help you make the most of it.
What Is the 3-Day Guarantee?
The 3-Day Guarantee replaces the previous Activity Test, which linked the amount of subsidised care your family could access to the number of hours you worked, studied, or volunteered. Under the old system, some families—particularly those with lower activity hours—were limited in how many days of subsidised care they could use.
Now, all CCS-eligible families are guaranteed at least 72 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight, which works out to three days per week. This means even if your work or study hours are limited, your child can still attend programmes like our Rise and Shine Club or Amana Afternoons with the support of the subsidy.
Who Benefits Most?
The changes are expected to benefit more than 126,000 children across Australia. Families earning between $50,000 and $100,000 are estimated to save an average of $1,460 per year. For many households, this could make the difference between being able to access before and after school care or missing out entirely.
There is also additional support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, who can now access up to 100 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight per child, regardless of activity hours. This reflects the Government’s commitment to equity and inclusion in early learning—values that are central to Amana OSHC’s philosophy.
How Does This Apply to OSHC?
The 3-Day Guarantee applies to all approved child care services, including Out of School Hours Care. Whether your child attends before school care, after school care, or our Holiday Quest vacation care programme, the subsidy can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
At Amana OSHC, our regular before school care session is $26 and after school care is $36. With the CCS applied, many families will find these sessions even more affordable. If you’re unsure about your eligibility or subsidy percentage, we recommend checking your details through your myGov account linked to Centrelink.
Do You Need to Do Anything?
If you’re already receiving the Child Care Subsidy and your details are up to date with Services Australia, the new 3-Day Guarantee hours should be applied automatically—no action is required. However, it’s always a good idea to log into your myGov account and confirm that your family’s details, including income estimates and activity hours, are current.
If you’re not yet receiving CCS, now is a great time to apply. The process is straightforward: create a myGov account, link it to Centrelink, and complete a Child Care Subsidy assessment. Our friendly team at Amana OSHC can help guide you through the enrolment process.
Making the Most of Your Child’s OSHC Experience
With more subsidised hours available, your child has even more opportunity to benefit from the enriching programmes offered at Amana OSHC. From Homework Heroes and Imagination Station to Little Champions Club and Fuel Up with Amana, our sessions are designed to support your child’s social, emotional, physical, and academic development in a safe and inclusive environment.
We encourage families to explore the full range of activities available at their local Amana OSHC centre and take advantage of the additional subsidised days to give their children the best possible after-school experience.
The 3-Day Guarantee is a fantastic development for Australian families, making quality child care more accessible than ever. At Amana OSHC, we’re here to support you every step of the way. To learn more about our programmes, check your eligibility, or enrol your child, visit amanaoshc.com.au or get in touch with your nearest centre today.