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Centrelink
CCS
To our Thrive Families,
Last week, the Federal Government made a number of key changes to which were originally announced in the 2021–22 Budget but have now being brought forward earlier than initially announced to provide more support to families sooner.
What are the changes?
Higher CCS for multiple children and removal of annual cap brought forward
We’re making changes to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to help families who currently pay the most and experience the biggest barriers to participation in work.
From 10 December 2021, we’re removing the annual cap for all families who get CCS.
From 7 March 2022, families with more than one child in care will get a higher subsidy.
These changes were announced in the 2021–22 Budget but are implemented earlier than initially announced to provide more support to families sooner.
Annual cap
Families earning more than $190,015 (2021–22 terms) have an annual subsidy cap of $10,655 per child each financial year.
From 10 December 2021, we’re removing the annual cap for all families who get CCS.
Families with more than one child in care
From 7 March 2022, families with children aged five or under in care will get a higher subsidy for their second child and younger children.
Who will be eligible?
Families may be eligible if they:
- Earn less than $354,305
- Have more than one child aged five or under in childcare.
Who gets the Higher Subsidy?
Services Australia will work out which children get the higher subsidy by:
- Assessing all children in the family unit
- Identifying the standard rate child
- Identifying the higher rate children.
The standard rate child will get the standard CCS subsidy. Younger children will get a higher subsidy.
The standard rate child is the eldest child in the family unit aged five or under who is eligible for CCS and
attending care.
How much do higher rate children get?
Eligible higher rate children will receive a 30% higher subsidy, up to a maximum 95%.
Children eligible for the higher CCS rate will have the increase automatically included in their CCS percentage reported to services.
What do I need to do?
At this stage, we are still waiting further information and resources to share with you but in the meantime, Services Australia is working with software providers to implement the changes so as a family you don’t need to do anything, and it should come down to an automated process depending on your circumstances. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to your Centre Leader, or our Family Relations Team on 02 8355 7777 or email customerservice@thrive.edu.au
Stay safe as always,
Thrive Early Learning Leadership Team
