From 5 January 2026, big changes are coming to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). The government has confirmed the introduction of the long-discussed “3-Day Guarantee”, along with updates to how the CCS Activity Test works.
In this week’s blog, we are helping parents better understand the new changes with an easy-to-follow breakdown of what this change means for families, and how you can prepare.
Eligible families for the CCS will now have access to at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, that’s the equivalent of 3 days a week for most families.
This change gives families more certainty. Even if your recognised activity hours (such as work, study, or volunteering) are low, you’ll still receive a baseline level of subsidised care.
While the 3-Day Guarantee provides a strong foundation, many families will still be able to access up to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. This applies if:
- Both parents (if partnered) complete more than 48 hours of recognised activity each fortnight; or
- Your family has a valid exemption from the activity test.
In addition, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children will automatically be eligible for the full 100 hours of subsidised care, regardless of activity levels.
Recognised Activity – What Counts?
The activity test is still an important part of determining your CCS hours. Recognised activities include things like:
- Paid work or self-employment
- Looking for work
- Volunteering
- Studying or training
- Participation in programs that build skills or capacity
If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, you can check the full list on the Services Australia website here.
It’s important to remember that the CCS doesn’t always cover the full cost of childcare. Families will still be responsible for gap fees or out-of-pocket expenses charged by their provider.
The good news? With more subsidised hours guaranteed, many families are likely to see significant savings compared to previous arrangements.
What Does This Means for Families?
Parents with lower activity hours: You’ll still receive 72 hours of subsidised care each fortnight, giving you more flexibility for work, study, or family needs.
Families with higher activity levels: You can continue to access the full 100 hours.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families: Automatically receive the maximum 100 hours.
Families with exemptions: You’ll also be eligible for the full 100 hours.
How to Prepare for the Changes
With changes coming into effect from early 2026, now is a great time to prepare yourself for the changes to ensure your family doesn’t miss out. You can do this by:
- Talking to your Centre Director to understand how the changes may affect your gap fees
- Talking to your Centre Director about availability to book in for 3 days per week in 2026 (if you currently are only have 1-2 days booked per week)
- Checking your CCS eligibility to make sure you’re receiving the right level of support.
- Reviewing your activity hours – if you’re close to the 48-hour threshold, you may want to track your participation more carefully.
- Staying updated through Services Australia for further details and examples.
The introduction of the 3-Day Guarantee is a major win for families, helping to ensure that all children can access quality early education and care, regardless of their parents’ activity levels.
By locking in a minimum of 72 hours and keeping pathways to 100 hours of subsidised care, these changes aim to support families, strengthen workforce participation, and give every child the best possible start.
Looking for more information on the 2026 CCS changes? Read our blog deep-diving the changes here or head to the Services Australia website.
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