## What is Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?
 
The government offers assistance to help with the cost of approved childcare. CCS is paid directly to Camp Australia to reduce the fees you pay before you are billed. 

The amount you get depends on your family’s income, the type of childcare you use and the hours you and your partner work and other recognised activities that improve your skills. 
 
 
## Eligibility & criteria
 
The Child Care Subsidy percentage you are entitled to depends on your family’s income. You can visit the <a href="https://servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-to-claim-child-care-subsidy?context=41186"> Services Australia website</a> to find out how to claim and read about <a href="https://servicesaustralia.gov.au/your-number-children-care-can-affect-your-higher-child-care-subsidy?context=41186">how the number of children in your care can affect your CCS</a>.

 

## What classifies as recognised activity? 
 

- Paid work (including annual leave and parental leave) 

- Self-employment 

- Business start-up 

- Doing unpaid work in the family business 

- Enrolled in approved study or training course 

- Actively seeking work 

- Recognised volunteering 

- Other activities on a case-by-case basis 
 

## Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS)
 
Additional Child Care Subsidy is extra support for some families. This includes grandparents and great grandparents, families moving from an income support payment to work, and those experiencing temporary financial hardship. 

ACCS may also be paid in circumstances where a child is at risk, or has been at risk, of serious abuse or neglect. To discuss further, contact our Customer Care Team on 1300 105 343 for a confidential conversation with a Specialist Team member. 
 
 
## Child Care Subsidy for siblings

You may get a higher CCS if you have more than one child aged 5 or younger in care. This may apply to one or more of your children. 

This means, Centrelink will assess which children get the higher subsidy by working out both the ‘standard rate child’ and the ‘higher rate child’ or the ‘higher rate children’. 

The ‘standard rate child’ is usually your eldest CCS eligible child aged 5 or under (based on your family income estimate). The ‘higher rate child’ refers to your younger eligible child or children, where you’ll get the higher subsidy rate for them. You can get a 30% higher subsidy for your ‘higher rate child’. This is an increase on your standard CCS percentage and will cap this at a maximum of 95%. 

You’ll continue to get the standard rate of CCS if these apply: 
- You have children aged 6 and above 
- You have one child aged 5 or under 

The higher subsidy rate only applies if you have more than one eligible child aged 5 or under. Read [HERE](https://servicesaustralia.gov.au/examples-to-help-you-understand-your-higher-child-care-subsidy?context=41186) for examples to help you understand your higher Child Care Subsidy.

## How to apply for CCS
 
Before you register your child for care, you should [apply for CCS](https://servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-to-claim-child-care-subsidy?context=41186) as soon as possible; new claims can only be backdated for a maximum of 28 days. 

- If you don’t already have one, [register for a MyGov account](https://my.gov.au/), as this is how the government will communicate with you 

- Complete your [Child Care Subsidy application](https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-to-claim-child-care-subsidy?context=41186)

- Confirm your activity hours 

- [Create your bookings](https://pp.campaustralia.com.au) with Camp Australia (if you haven’t already) 

- Ensure you have provided Camp Australia with individual DOBs (Date of Birth) and CRNs (Customer Reference Number) for all children, and the parent claiming the Subsidy 

- When prompted by the government, log into your [MyGov account](https://my.gov.au/)and confirm the enrolments for Outside School Hours Care. 
 

## Billing
 
When the CCS has been paid to Camp Australia, it will be applied to each booking prior to your receiving your statement. You will receive an updated invoice if your balance increases due to CCS recalculations. 

If your CCS has not been applied, has changed, or has recently been removed, it may be due to the following reasons: 

- Your activity test results have expired 

- You have recently updated your activity test and your CCS is being recalculated 

- You have submitted an ACCS claim which is currently pending 

- You have not yet confirmed your Camp Australia enrolment 

- Your ACCS claim has ended/expired 

- Your child has not attended a Camp Australia service for 14 continuous weeks 

- Your child has not attended a Camp Australia service for 14 continuous weeks and the enrolment has been ceased 

- Your child has not yet physically attended a Camp Australia service 

- You have exceeded your Allowable Absences (the threshold is 52 absent bookings per child, per financial year) 

- From 11 July 2022, children who haven’t attended a session of care in 26 consecutive weeks will no longer be eligible for Child Care Subsidy 
 

## Things to remember
 

- Your Child Care Subsidy application must be approved by Centrelink before CCS will be applied 

- Your Camp Australia account must be formalised, and your enrolment confirmed for CCS to be paid 

- Changes in circumstances or extended periods of absence may result in recalculation of your CCS

Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Explained

Blog

From 10 July 2023, the maximum amount of CCS is increasing from 85% to 90% for families earning up to $80,000. The CCS income limit has also increased from $356,756 to $530,000. Read the key changes below for more information. 

Key changes to Child Care Subsidy: 

- If your family earns under $530,000, you’ll get increased CCS. The CCS percentage you’re entitled to depends on your family’s income. 
- Families earning up to $80,000 will get an increased maximum CCS amount, from 85% to 90%. If you earn over $80,000 you may get a subsidy starting from 90%. This will go down by 1% for each $5,000 of income your family earns. 
- If you have more than one child aged 5 or under, you can still get a higher rate for one or more of your children. 
- The low income limit for Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) Transition to Work will also increase to $80,000. 
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can get at least 36 hours of subsidy per fortnight, regardless of their family’s income or activity level. 


**What does this mean?** 

If you already get CCS and your family income hasn’t changed, you don’t need to do anything to get the increased rate. Services Australia will automatically apply changes to your CCS from 10 July 2023. 

If you don’t currently get CCS and are curious to learn more about what CCS is and how to apply, read our [Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Explained blog](https://www.campaustralia.com.au/blog/Child-Care-Subsidy-Explained) for more information.  


**How to check your CCS percentage** 

You can check your CCS percentage in your Centrelink online account through [myGov](https://login.my.gov.au/las/mygov-login?execution=e1s1). Then: 

- Select the **MENU** 
- Select **My family** 
- From this menu select **Child Care** 
- Select **Child Care Subsidy summary** 

For more information, head to the [Services Australia](https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/changes-if-you-get-family-payments?context=41186) website. Please note, any specific enquiries about the CCS changes should be directed to Centrelink or Services Australia. 

If you need general support or have questions relevant to your Camp Australia account, you can visit our [website](https://campaustralia.com.au/Child-Care-Subsidy-CCS) or [FAQs page](https://campaustralia.com.au/faqs). You can also speak to our Customer Care Team on 1300 105 343 from 5am – 9pm, 7 days a week (except on National Public Holidays). 


**CCS Vacation Care** 

On top of OSHC, CCS can also be extended to holiday programs, such as our Rocketeers extraordinary adventure. You can book into any of our services where children will continue to engage in fun, social activities through purposeful play. 

Rocketeers Mission X has launched – [book in now](https://campaustralia.com.au/rocketeers) for an X-traordinary adventure these winter holidays! 

Child Care Subsidy Changes (CCS) 

Understanding your Camp Australia statement can sometimes be tricky to navigate due to varying session times and changes to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) from 10 July. From billing periods to the total amount due and other billing information you can view in detail, here’s our guide to help you better [understand your Camp Australia bill](https://publuu.com/flip-book/72448/444671). 

Understanding Your Bill

News

Escape the ordinary and experience the extraordinary with Rocketeers. Our open and inclusive crew truly understands that the school holidays are for children and are meant to be fun. Every school holiday break is a new Mission for children to embark upon, and every day is a new adventure.

Rocketeers

Tailored activities in Your OSHC engage children, allowing them to follow their interests and try new experiences before and after school. Every activity is designed for children to develop their confidence and curiosity

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Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Explained

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Understanding Your Bill