MercyCare / News / The child care subsidy explained

The child care subsidy explained

Many Australian parents are eligible to have the cost of their children’s care subsidised, so they pay less fees.

Through the Child Care Subsidy, the Federal Government covers a portion of child care costs for eligible parents and guardians.

The amount of weekly child care hours you can have subsidised and the rate at which the child care is subsidised, depends on your income and the amount of time you spend working, studying or looking for work.

The subsidy is available to eligible parents and guardians whose combined household incomes are less than $350,000.

It can cover between 20 and 85 per cent of the cost of child care.

We have Early Learning Centres in Ballajura, Bassendean, Bedford, Bennett Springs, Heathridge, Kelmscott, Landsdale, Seville Grove, Thornlie, Wembley and Ellenbrook.

Our Early Learning Centres have Australian Government approval to collect the subsidy on your behalf, so you only pay the remainder of the fees after the subsidy has been paid.

Once you provide your Centrelink Customer Reference Number and that of your child, we can make sure your subsidy payments come directly through to us, reducing the fees you pay.

Contact your nearest centre to find out more. Our team would be more than happy to talk you through this process, you can contact your nearest centre to find out more. Alternatively, full details are available on the Centrelink website.