Child Care Guide – Child Care Subsidy 3 Day Guarantee

3 Day Guarantee

The 3 Day Guarantee is a major change to how the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) works in Australia. Introduced from 5 January 2026, it ensures that all families who are eligible for CCS receive at least three days (72 hours) of subsidised childcare per fortnight, regardless of how many hours they work, study, or volunteer.

This change was designed to make childcare more accessible, reduce barriers to early learning, and give families greater certainty about their minimum level of support.

What is the new child care subsidy 3 day guarantee?

The new child care subsidy 3 day guarantee means that every family approved for CCS is automatically entitled to 72 subsidised hours of care per child, per fortnight. This is equivalent to three standard long day care days.

Before this change, subsidised hours were tightly linked to the activity test, which could significantly limit access to care for families with lower or irregular work and study hours. The 3 Day Guarantee replaces that minimum threshold, ensuring a consistent baseline of support.

  • Applies to all CCS-eligible families
  • Provides a minimum of 72 subsidised hours per fortnight
  • Works alongside income-based CCS percentages and hourly rate caps
  • Does not remove the ability to receive 100 subsidised hours where eligible

What is a 3 day guarantee?

In simple terms, a 3 day guarantee means that families no longer risk receiving very low or zero subsidised hours simply because their recognised activity hours are limited.

If you are eligible for CCS, the government guarantees support for up to three days of childcare every fortnight, even if:

  • You are not currently working
  • You work irregular or casual hours
  • You are studying part-time
  • You are actively looking for work or volunteering

This approach recognises that access to childcare itself can be essential for parents to increase their participation in work, training, or study.

How does the 3 day guarantee affect my child care costs?

The 3 Day Guarantee affects your childcare costs by increasing the number of hours that are eligible for subsidy, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket fees for many families.

Here’s how it typically works in practice:

  • Your CCS percentage is still based on your combined family income
  • The hourly rate cap still applies for your type of care
  • The 3 Day Guarantee sets a minimum number of subsidised hours
  • You may still be eligible for 100 hours per fortnight if you meet recognised participation rules or qualify under special categories

For families who previously received fewer than 72 subsidised hours per fortnight, this change can result in a noticeable reduction in weekly childcare fees.

Example: A family with one parent studying part-time may now receive 72 subsidised hours per fortnight instead of a lower allocation, reducing their out-of-pocket childcare costs while they complete their course.

3 Day Guarantee and 100 subsidised hours

The 3 Day Guarantee sets a minimum, not a maximum. Families can still access up to 100 subsidised hours per fortnight if they meet certain conditions.

  • Families with higher recognised participation hours
  • Families eligible under Additional Child Care Subsidy categories
  • Children who qualify under specific priority or exemption rules

This ensures that families with greater care needs are not disadvantaged by the new system.

Download the 3 Day Guarantee fact sheet

For a quick, printable overview of the 3 Day Guarantee, you can download our summary fact sheet below.

3 Day Guarantee Fact Sheet

3 Day Guarantee – FAQs

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