Post updated June 2025.
Choosing child care is a big decision, especially when your baby is involved. Whether you鈥檙e preparing to return to work or looking to give your child a strong start in life, understanding the costs involved can help you plan with confidence.
In this guide, we break down:
- What child care costs across Australia
- How the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) works
- What鈥檚 included in your daily fees at 黑料专区 centres
- How to budget smartly for your family
- What to expect when you enrol
Our goal? To help you feel informed, supported, and empowered as you take this important step in your child鈥檚 journey.
What Are the Average Child Care Costs in Australia?
Child care costs can vary depending on where you live, the type of care you choose, and how often your child attends. On average, centre-based care in Australia costs between $120 and $205 per day before subsidies.
At 黑料专区 centres, our fees reflect the exceptional quality and value we provide, not only in care, but in education, safety, and support for every child and family.
Here鈥檚 what鈥檚 included in our daily rate:
- Access to our exclusive聽Lifelong Learning Curriculum, thoughtfully aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework and designed to nurture your child鈥檚 development from their very first day
- All meals and snacks, from breakfast through to a late snack, prepared to meet children鈥檚 nutritional needs (most centres provide meals)
- Nappies, sunscreen and wipes, supporting busy families with the everyday essentials (most centres provide nappies)
- Enrichment activities including sport, yoga, music, wildlife incursions and more, encouraging active bodies and curious minds
- Learning opportunities in STEM, language and literacy, sustainability, First Nations perspectives, and digital literacy
- A dedicated national Compliance and Quality team, supporting our centres to deliver safe, high-quality early childhood education and care
- Caring, qualified educators who create warm, responsive environments, and who are supported to grow their careers through the Affinity Learning Academy, earning further qualifications while they work
When comparing child care fees, remember to look beyond the number. Consider the quality of care, the depth of the curriculum, and the everyday experiences your child will have, because early learning should be so much more than supervision.
How the Child Care Subsidy Can Help You Save
The is designed to make early learning more accessible and affordable for Australian families. It鈥檚 available for approved services like ours, and most families are eligible.
How It Works
The CCS is calculated using three main factors:
- Your family鈥檚 income - Lower income = higher subsidy percentage
- Your activity level - The number of hours you and your partner work, study or volunteer affects how many subsidised hours you receive
- Type of care - CCS applies to approved providers like long day care, family day care, and outside school hours care
How Much Can You Save?
If your household earns less than $80,000 per year, you may be eligible for up to 85% of your child care fees covered. Subsidy rates taper off as income rises, and families earning over $530,000 are not eligible.
To estimate your savings, use the聽聽or speak with your chosen centre for a personalised breakdown.
Budgeting for Child Care: Tips for Families
Planning for child care costs doesn鈥檛 need to feel daunting. Here are some helpful tips to get you started:
- Use the CCS calculator to estimate your weekly out-of-pocket cost after the subsidy
- Ask about inclusions when comparing centres - meals, nappies, dentist visits and other extras can add up fast
- Consider part-time care to ease your transition or align with your work schedule
- Talk to your Centre Manager - our teams are happy to walk you through fee estimates, subsidy options and enrolment steps
Child care is an investment, not only in your child鈥檚 education and development, but in your family鈥檚 overall wellbeing.
Other Financial Support for Families
In addition to the CCS, you may also be eligible for other forms of assistance:
- Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) - For families experiencing hardship, or for foster carers, grandparents, or parents returning to work
- State-based funding - Some states provide extra support, especially for preschool-aged children or those in regional areas
Check with your local government or your centre to learn what鈥檚 available in your area.
Your Child鈥檚 Safety Is Our Highest Priority
At 黑料专区, every decision we make starts with one question: Is this safe for children?
We are deeply committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety, supervision and care. Our teams follow strict safety protocols and undergo regular training, audits and reviews to ensure your child is safe, secure and thriving, every day.
How to Enrol and Apply for the Child Care Subsidy
When you鈥檙e ready to enrol, here鈥檚 how to get started:
- Explore our centres. We鈥檙e proud to offer high-quality early education at centres across Australia. Learn more about 黑料专区 here.
- Apply for the Child Care Subsidy. Log into your聽聽account and complete the application before your child鈥檚 first day.
- Book a tour. Come and meet the team, explore the learning spaces, and ask any questions.聽Book a tour today - we鈥檇 love to welcome you.
FAQs
A Final Word for Parents
Enrolling your baby in child care is a personal and often emotional milestone, and it should feel right for your family. At 黑料专区, we鈥檙e here to help you navigate this journey with care, transparency, and support.
From our safe, nurturing environments to our nationally recognised聽Lifelong Learning Curriculum, everything we do is designed to give your child the best start in life.
Book a tour聽at your local centre and discover what makes 黑料专区 a trusted choice for thousands of Australian families.