Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

How childcare subsidies will change

The federal government will be overhauling childcare subsidies from mid-2018 after its package passed parliament.

CHANGES TO CHILDCARE FEE SUBSIDIES:

* Scrap the existing system of payments including the Child Care Rebate (covers 50 per cent of fees up to annual cap of $7500) and the means-tested Child Care Benefit.

* Replace them with a single, means- and activity-tested subsidy.

* Activity test means both parents must work, study or volunteer at least eight hours a fortnight.

* Payment covers 85 per cent of fees for families on $65,710 or less.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

* Covers 50 per cent of fees for families on $170,710-$250,000.

* Tapers down to 20 per cent between $250,000-$340,000

* Families earning more than $350,000 receive no subsidy

* Fee subsidies based on a set hourly rate ($11.55 centre-based day care, $10.70 family day care, $10.10 outside school hours care).

* No annual cap on subsidies for families on $185,710 and under.

* $10,000 annual cap on subsidies for families earning more than $185,710.

* A bonus subsidy for disadvantaged families, such as those with children at risk of abuse or neglect; those experiencing temporary financial hardship; grandparent carers on welfare.

* Starts on July 2, 2018.

* 1.2 million children were in child care in 2016.

* Government figures say almost 816,000 families will be better off.

* 128,000 families will get reduced subsidies, including 52,100 earning less than $65,710 a year (mainly due to activity test).


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world