About the Child Care Subsidy
Introduced on 2 July 2018, the Federal Government's Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is the regular payment that assists most families with the costs of child care.
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The Child Care Subsidy is paid directly to approved providers, to be passed on to families as a fee reduction. It reduces the fees that a family pays a child care provider for the care of their child.
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DET website - New Child Care Package for providers (from 2 July 2018)
This resource explains Australia’s new child care package, including the new Child Care Subsidy, which replaces the previous Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate and is paid directly to services. -
DET website – Information resources for providers
Resources to assist child care providers in understanding the details of the new child care package; including videos, presentations and factsheets.
NHVic CCS Financial Calculator
See how becoming a CCS provider can financially benefit your organisation by downloading the NHVic CCS Financial Calculator.
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Notes: This calculator has been produced to provide a financial guestimate, it is not intended as financial advice.​ Be sure to read the notes on worksheet 3 on this document before you edit. There is no protection on this document and any aspect can be edited. It is, however, best to just enter data by using the drop box in the blue fields on page 1, the 'User Defined' page.
Applying to become a CCS provider
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Visit the Department of Education website for a step-by-step process
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Download the NHVic CCS Application Checklist
Child Care Safety Net
The Child Care Safety Net provides targeted assistance to vulnerable and at-risk children and their families. It also supports child care services in disadvantaged communities to address barriers in accessing and participating in early learning and care.
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The Child Care Safety Net has a number of components:
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Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) - provides a higher level of subsidy to support. Watch this video.
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Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) - eligible child care providers are able to apply for supplementary funding through a grants program.
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Inclusion Support Program - helps early learning and child care providers to build their capacity and capability to include children with additional needs in mainstream services.
Resources for CCS approved Child Care Providers
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Child Care Provider Handbook
The handbook provides information for providers to assist them to understand the processes relating to approval, enrolment of children and payment of Child Care Subsidy and Additional Child Care Subsidy. It outlines a provider’s obligations and responsibilities as part of those processes and as part of their ongoing approval under Family Assistance Law. -
Readiness Guide for New Child Care Subsidy Approved Providers
Explains what Child Care Subsidy approved providers need to do to submit session reports and pass on payments to families. -
​Help using the Child Care Subsidy System
Child care services use the Child Care Subsidy System (CCMS) to record child enrolment and attendance information. This information is reported to the Department of Education and Training and used to calculate the child care fee reductions to be paid to the service. -
Software and activation codes task card
Explains how to obtain your child care software activation code which is required to connect your child care software to the Child Care Subsidy System. Can also be used if the original code has expired or been misplaced, or if additional codes are required for software instances within your organisation. -
How to submit an application to add a Child Care Service to a CCS Approval
Explains how to submit an application to add a new child care service to an existing provider approval. -
Business support tools and resources for child care services
The Department of Education and Training, in consultation with a range of child care stakeholders, has compiled a suite of business support tools and resources to help child care services to review their business operations in the context of transitioning to the new child care package. These resources are a simple and practical way that services can plan, review and grow their businesses into the future. -
​​Child Care Services Grant Application Support Resource - A general guide for grant applications
This resource is to provide general information to assist child care services that may be considering applying for grant funding, including useful tips on preparing a grant application.
Where can I get help during and after the application?
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria
For all enquiries regarding the preparation of your CCS application, please contact NHVic on (03) 9602 1228 or email info@nhvic.org.au
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CCS Assessment Team
Post CCS approval, please contact the CCS Helpdesk for enquiries relating to CCS payments such as submitting information to the Department, ACCS certificates, inability to pass on fee reductions as a family has left your service, repayment of a debt or help with the Provider Entry Point. Contact the CCS Assessment Team on 1800 112 812 or email CCSAssessments-VIC@education.gov.au
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CCS Helpdesk
Post CCS approval, please contact the CCS Helpdesk for enquiries relating to CCS payments such as; submitting information to the Department, ACCS certificates, inability to pass on fee reductions as a family has left your service, repayment of a debt or help with the Provider Entry Point. Contact the CCS Helpdesk on 1300 667 276 or email ccshelpdesk@education.gov.au
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ACCS Helpdesk
For enquiries related to the Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS), please contact the ACCS Helpdesk. Email the ACCS Helpdesk ACCS@education.gov.au
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PRODA Helpline
For technical PRODA related enquiries, please contact the PRODA helpline. Contact the PRODA Helpdesk on 1800 700 199