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Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) fees explained: How CCS can reduce your out-of-pocket costs

Finding affordable Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) is a priority for many families. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) helps reduce the cost of Before & After School Care and School Holiday Programs (vacation care), making it more accessible for eligible families.

In this guide, we’ll explain how CCS works for OSHC, including the new 3-Day Guarantee, how much you could save, and what other financial support is available.

Does the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) cover Before & After School Care and Vacation Care services?

Yes! If your child attends an approved OSHC service, including Before & After School Care or School Holiday Programs, your family may be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to help lower your fees.

CCS applies to OSHC services for primary school-aged children, helping families access quality care at a reduced cost. How much subsidy you receive depends on your family income, your activity level (work, study, volunteering, etc.), and the hourly cap set by the government.

Am I eligible for CCS?

To receive CCS for OSHC, your family must meet the following criteria:

  • Your child is enrolled in an approved OSHC service

  • Your family meets the residency requirements, which generally means you or your partner are an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or hold an eligible visa.

  • Your family meets the income requirements

  • Your child meets immunisation requirements

  • You are the person responsible for paying the OSHC fees

How much CCS can I get?

The amount of CCS you receive depends on three factors:

  1.  Your combined family income: Determines the percentage of OSHC fees covered by CCS.

  2. Your approved activity level: The number of hours you work, study, volunteer, or look for work affects how many subsidised hours you can access each fortnight. Under the 3-Day Guarantee, all eligible families receive at least 72 subsidised hours per child per fortnight, regardless of activity levels. Under certain circumstances, families can get 100 hours of subsidised care each fortnight.

  3. The hourly rate cap: The government sets a maximum hourly amount it will subsidise for each type of care.

In addition to CCS, some families may qualify for extra financial assistance. The Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) provides extra support for families in a range of circumstances, including financial hardship, transitions from income support, and grandparents caring for grandchildren.
 

How much will Outside School Hours Care cost me after CCS?

Let’s look at three different families with varying household incomes and see how much Before School Care, After School Care, and Vacation Care would cost them after the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is applied.
 
Scenario 1: Family with a household income of $50,000

CCS Percentage: 90%

  • Before School Care: $2.40 per session (was $24)

  • After School Care: $3.20 per session (was $32)

  • School Holiday Program: $8.20 per day (was $82)

This family receives the maximum subsidy rate of 90%, making OSHC significantly more affordable.
 

Scenario 2: Family with a household income of $100,000

CCS Percentage: 86%

  • Before School Care: $3.36 per session (was $24)

  • After School Care: $4.48 per session (was $32)

  • Vacation Care: $11.48 per day (was $82)

Scenario 3: Family with a household income of $120,000

CCS Percentage: 82%

  • Before School Care: $4.32 per session (was $24)

  • After School Care: $5.76 per session (was $32)

  • School Holiday Program: $14.76 per day (was $82)

 Scenario 4: Family with a household income of $155,000

CCS Percentage: 75%

  • Before School Care: $6.00 per session (was $24)

  • After School Care: $8.00 per session (was $32)

  • School Holiday Program: $20.50 per day (was $82)

 
Please note, these are estimated costs and may vary depending on your family’s circumstances, the fees charged by your chosen service, and the hourly rate cap. We recommend using our CCS Calculator and visiting Services Australia to check your eligibility and estimate your subsidy. 
Estimate my Child Care Subsidy

How do I apply for CCS?

 Applying for CCS is simple. Follow these steps to get started:
 

  1. Sign in to MyGov and link your account to Centrelink.

  2. Submit a CCS claim with your child’s details and OSHC provider information.

  3. Provide supporting documents as required.

  4. Once approved, CCS is paid directly to your OSHC provider, reducing the amount you need to pay.

For a detailed step-by-step guide, visit the Services Australia website.
 

Can I get CCS information in my language?

CCS information is available in multiple languages through Services Australia.

 
 

Find OSHC near me

Looking for Before & After School Care or School Holiday Programs near you?
 
 
This page was last updated on 5 February 2026. Any changes to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) after this date may not be reflected here. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Services Australia website.