Quality early education, made more affordable
Between the Child Care Subsidy and Start Strong preschool funding program, most families pay significantly less than the headline fee.
Here's how both work, and how to find out exactly what you'd pay.
Fees & Child Care Subsidy
Childcare Subsidy (CCS) — what it is and what you're likely entitled to
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a federal government payment that reduces the cost of approved childcare for eligible families. It's paid directly to the centre and applied to your fees, you only pay the gap.
Two factors determine your CCS percentage: your household income and your combined hours of recognised activity (work, study, training, volunteering). The higher your activity hours, the more subsidised hours you're entitled to each fortnight.
Income tested
Higher income = lower subsidy percentage. But even families on higher incomes may still receive a meaningful subsidy. The threshold is higher than most people assume.
Activity tested
The more hours you work, study or volunteer, the more subsidised hours you're entitled to (up to 100 hours per fortnight per child).
The easiest way to get an accurate figure is to use the Services Australia CCS estimator. It takes about five minutes and gives you a realistic number based on your actual circumstances.
NSW Start Strong funding — fee relief for 3 and 4 year olds
If your child is 3 or 4 years old, they may be eligible for additional fee relief through the NSW Government's Start Strong for Long Day Care program — on top of your Child Care Subsidy, and without affecting it.
Start Strong provides fee relief for children aged 3 and above enrolled in eligible long day care services in NSW, and is separate from and additional to CCS payments.
In 2026, eligible families can receive up to $2,563 per year in fee relief for children aged 4 and above, and up to $769 per year for children aged 3.
Who is eligible
To be eligible, a child must be at least 4 years old, or at least 3 years old, on or before 31 July 2026, be enrolled in an eligible early childhood education and care service, have a confirmed CCS enrolment and not be receiving the fee relief at another service.
All NSW families are eligible regardless of citizenship or residency status.
How it's applied
You'll need to complete a fee relief declaration form for every service your child is enrolled in and nominate which service you'd like to receive fee relief from (you can only access fee relief from one service at a time).
Our admin team can provide the form and guide you through the process.
Getting your subsidy sorted
Create a myGov account and link Centrelink
If you haven't already, you'll need a myGov account with Centrelink linked. This is where your CCS entitlement is assessed and managed.
1.
Confirm your CCS with Services Australia
Once enrolled, notify Services Australia that your child is attending Chisholm Early Education. Your subsidy is then applied automatically to your weekly fees.
2.
Contact us directly for the most up-to-date fee schedule.
Not sure what you'd pay? Let's work it out together. Our team is happy to walk through fees and funding with you, no obligation, no jargon.