If you’ve been trying to make sense of the new “3 days subsidised childcare” announcement, this guide breaks down exactly what the change means. You’ll also learn how it works and where to get accurate information from official government sources.

From 5 January 2026, the Australian Government has introduced a significant update to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), known as the 3-Day Guarantee. This initiative aims to make early childhood education and care more accessible and affordable for more families across Australia.

 

What Is the 3-Day Guarantee?

All families who are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy are now guaranteed at least 3 days of subsidised early learning per week. This equates to 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, regardless of workforce participation or activity levels.

This replaces the former activity test, which tied the number of subsidised hours to how much paid work, volunteering, study or training a parent was required to undertake.

Key CCS changes at a glance.

• Minimum 72 subsidised hours per fortnight: Automatically applied to all CCS-eligible families from 5 January 2026.
• First Nations families: Families with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children are eligible for 100 subsidised hours of care per fortnight.
• Higher entitlements remain: Families who already qualify for more than 72 hours will keep their existing higher allocation.
• Standard CCS eligibility still applies: Families must still meet the general CCS eligibility rules, including immunisation requirements, residency criteria, approved provider attendance, and income thresholds.
• Gap fees still apply: The subsidy lowers the cost of care but does not remove it entirely unless a family qualifies for additional assistance or exemptions.

 

When did the change start?

The 3-Day Guarantee took effect on 5 January 2026. Most families will see the update reflected automatically in their myGov account and on their childcare statements or invoices. If you do not see changes yet, Services Australia recommends checking your CCS claim details or contacting your provider.

 

Why the Government introduced this change.

The update is intended to make access to early learning more equitable, particularly for families who previously missed out under the activity test. It supports children’s early development, creates more consistent access to education and care, and helps ease cost-of-living pressures.

Let’s talk about it more at your tour!

If you’re exploring your childcare options or want to see how our centre supports children to learn and thrive, we’d love to show you around. Book a tour at Thornlie today and meet our team, explore our learning spaces, and find out how we can support your family under the new CCS changes.

 

Where to find official information.

This information should be all that you need, but if you want a more detail looked, refer directly to the following government resources:

·      Services Australia – Child Care Subsidy

·      Starting Blocks – 3-Day Guarantee information

·      Australian Government Department of Education – CCS Program