Child Care Costs

Child care costs can be reduced with subsidies from the government such as the Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate.

Child care costs are not regulated by the government and vary from state to state and from child care centre to child care centre. However, there are subsides available to help keep the cost of child care affordable for everyone. The two subsidies are the Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate.

Child Care Benefit

Child Care Benefit is a payment through the Family Assistance Office. You can choose to receive Child Care Benefit as a lump sum payment or as reduced child care fees. To see if you are eligible for Child Care Benefit and, if so, how much you can get visit the Family Assistance Office website or call 13 61 50.

Child Care Rebate

The Child Care Rebate (prior to July 2009 known as Child Care Tax Rebate) is a payment to help families using approved child care for work, training or study related reasons. The Australian Government will provide you with 50 per cent of your out-of-pocket child care expenses for approved child care up to the annual cap.

From July 2010, the Child Care Rebate annual cap will be $7,500 per child per year, subject to the passage of legislation. The Child Care Rebate is a payment delivered through the Family Assistance Office. To see if you are eligible for the Child Care Rebate and how much you can receive, visit the Family Assistance Office website or call 13 61 50.

Childcare Estimator

There is also a Childcare Estimator available on the Australian.gov.au website to help families work out their out-of-pocket expenses after child care costs and the rebates have been applied. You can choose from several options to estimate your child care costs.

Child care costs will depend on several factors such as the location of the facility what services the centre provides, how many hours your child will be in day care and your child’s age. To find an approved child care facility in your area, please contact Guardian Childcare Alliance on 1300 025 007.

Over the years, Guardian Childcare Alliance has built a reputation as one of the best child care management advisory companies in Australia. Our childcare centres thrive on the quality of our people and child care centre services and our ability to deliver an educational, caring and nurturing environment for children in our care. Guardian also offers child care consultants to assist current day care centre owners or prospective investors with daycare management systems and advice. And if you would like to join the Guardian team, check out our dedicated child care centre jobs and careers website.