Additional Child Care Subsidy

How the Additional Child Care Subsidy Provides Extra Help for Families

If you’re already receiving the standard Child Care Subsidy (CSS), you may also be eligible for the Additional Child Care Subsidy — extra financial support designed to make early education and care more affordable for families in special circumstances.

This support can make a significant difference for families in Goulburn and the surrounding region, especially if you’re facing hardship, caring for a vulnerable child, or transitioning back into work or study. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about how the Additional Child Care Subsidy works, who qualifies, how much you could receive, and how to apply.

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What Is the Additional Child Care Subsidy?

The Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) is a top-up payment that sits on top of your standard CCS to further reduce the cost of childcare. It’s designed to help families who are experiencing challenging circumstances, including:

• Grandparents who are the primary carers of their grandchildren
• Families experiencing temporary financial hardship
• Parents transitioning from income support into work, training, or study
• Children who are vulnerable or at risk of abuse, neglect, or harm

To qualify, you must first be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy. Once approved, the Additional Child Care Subsidy can significantly reduce — and in some cases almost eliminate — your out-of-pocket childcare costs.

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Types of Additional Child Care Subsidy

There are four main categories of ACCS. The type you’re eligible for depends on your circumstances:

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How Much Additional Child Care Subsidy Can I Receive?

The exact amount depends on your circumstances, but in many cases, the Additional Child Care Subsidy can cover up to 100% of the hourly fee cap — significantly more than the standard Child Care Subsidy.

For example, if your service charges $13.50 per hour and the hourly cap is $13.00, ACCS will typically cover up to the cap, leaving you to pay only the small difference. This can reduce your childcare costs to just a few dollars per day — or even eliminate them altogether in specific situations.

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How to Apply for the Additional Child Care Subsidy

Applying for ACCS is straightforward, but you’ll need to provide documentation to support your claim. Here’s how the process usually works:

1. Check your CCS eligibility. You must be approved for the standard subsidy before you can receive ACCS.
2. Submit an ACCS claim. Do this through your myGov account linked to Centrelink or by contacting Services Australia directly.
3. Provide supporting evidence. This may include income support details, legal documents, welfare reports, or letters from social workers, depending on your situation.
4. Await assessment. Once approved, the additional subsidy will be paid directly to your childcare provider, reducing your gap fees.

It’s important to keep your details updated and notify Services Australia if your circumstances change, as this can affect your ongoing eligibility.

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Worked Examples – Additional Child Care Subsidy in Action

Here are a few local-style examples to show how the Additional Child Care Subsidy can help Goulburn families:

• Centre-based care (CBDC), full-time parents (Goulburn): Combined income $120,000, 100+ activity hours, $14.30/hour for 40 hours per week. With CCS and ACCS (e.g. hardship or transition), out-of-pocket fees could drop from over $500 per fortnight to under $100.
• Family day care (Crookwell): Single parent on $78,000 income, 36 activity hours, $12.70/hour for 28 hours per week. Temporary financial hardship support can significantly reduce the gap fee, keeping care affordable during tough times.
• OSHC (Marulan): Family income $95,000, 80 activity hours, $11.00/hour for 10 hours per week. The Additional Child Care Subsidy for vulnerable children can make after-school care virtually free.

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Maintaining Your Additional Child Care Subsidy

• ACCS is reviewed regularly — you’ll need to reconfirm eligibility when requested.
• You must continue to meet CCS activity and enrolment requirements.
• Always inform Services Australia if your income, family circumstances, or childcare arrangements change.
• If your eligibility ends, you’ll continue to receive the standard Child Care Subsidy.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Additional Child Care Subsidy

Q: Can the Additional Child Care Subsidy replace the standard CCS?
A: No. ACCS is an additional payment layered on top of your regular CCS to further reduce childcare costs.

Q: Does ACCS cover all childcare costs?
A: In many cases — especially for vulnerable children or grandparents — ACCS can cover up to 100% of the hourly fee cap.

Q: Can I get ACCS for outside school hours care (OSHC)?
A: Yes. If you meet the eligibility criteria, ACCS applies to all approved childcare types, including OSHC, family day care, and centre-based care.

Q: How long does ACCS last?
A: It depends on the type. Temporary hardship support is usually available for up to 13 weeks, while other types may continue as long as eligibility conditions are met.

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Get Extra Support With the Additional Child Care Subsidy

The Additional Child Care Subsidy is designed to support Goulburn families when they need it most. Whether you’re a grandparent caring for a child, experiencing financial hardship, returning to work, or supporting a vulnerable child, this subsidy can make early learning and care more accessible and affordable.

Use our Child Care Subsidy Calculator to estimate your entitlement or speak to your local childcare provider to learn how ACCS could reduce your costs.

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