Better access to early learning for everyone
The Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) welcomes the introduction of the national ‘3-Day Guarantee’, which improves access to affordable and high quality early learning across Australia.
The guarantee, which BSL helped to advocate for, is now in effect. It ensures families at least 72 hours of subsidised early childhood education and care every fortnight, equivalent to three days a week.
The 3-Day Guarantee replaces the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) activity test, under which families needed to meet and report on their work or study hours.
Better access to, and more affordable, child care is critical to ensuring every child has the chance to thrive in Australia. It is essential to an Australia free of poverty.
How does it work?
All families in Australia are now guaranteed 72 hours of subsidised child care each fortnight, so long as they meet basic requirements .
This is a change from the CCS activity test, which was linked to families’ individual work or study situations through what is known as ‘ recognised participation ’.
You will still need to pay a gap fee, except under certain circumstances. You are not guaranteed a place with a child care service provider and must secure your own place.
Families may be eligible for more than 72 hours. They will need to report their recognised participation to Services Australia, as was required under the CCS system.
Do I qualify for 100 hours of subsidised child care?
You can get 100 hours of subsidised child care each fortnight for each child if you are:
- caring for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child
- have more than 48 hours each fortnight of recognised participation
- have an exemption or experience exceptional circumstances
- receive Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) child wellbeing, temporary financial hardship or grandparent payments.
Find out more and lodge a claim at Changes if you get family payments