Childcare in Australia: Everything You Need to Know About Costs, Subsidies, Visas and Finding a Centre
Moving to Australia with young children? One of the most important things you'll need to organise is childcare.
Whether you're relocating for work, planning to return to employment after arriving or simply looking for early childhood education opportunities for your children, understanding the Australian childcare system is an important part of preparing for your move.
However, childcare in Australia can be surprisingly complicated, particularly for international families.
There are several types of childcare services, costs vary significantly between locations, some centres have lengthy waiting lists, and government subsidies aren't available to everyone.
If you're arriving on a temporary visa, it's especially important to understand your eligibility before calculating your family's childcare budget.
At Relocation Services Australia, we help individuals and families prepare for their move, including choosing suburbs that suit their lifestyle, employment arrangements and family requirements.
In this guide, we'll explain how childcare works in Australia, the different options available, what you can expect to pay in 2026, how government subsidies work and how to find a suitable childcare service before you arrive.
1. How Does Childcare Work in Australia?
Australia has several different types of childcare and early childhood education services.
The type of care you choose will depend on your child's age, your working hours, your preferred learning environment and your family's circumstances.
Common options include:
Long Day Care: Centre-based childcare generally catering for children from infancy until they begin primary school.
Family Day Care: Smaller-group childcare typically provided by an approved educator in their home.
Preschool or Kindergarten: Early childhood education programs usually designed for children in the years immediately before primary school.
Outside School Hours Care (OSHC): Care for school-aged children before school, after school and during school holidays.
Occasional Care: Shorter-term or flexible childcare arrangements, where available.
One thing international families should understand is that the terminology can vary between Australian states and territories.
Terms such as daycare, childcare, early learning centre, preschool and kindergarten may be used differently depending on where you're moving.
Our recommendation: Before choosing a service, consider the days, hours and location you'll need. Not every childcare arrangement is designed for parents working full-time.
2. Long Day Care: A Popular Option for Working Parents
Long Day Care is a type of centre-based childcare commonly used by working families.
It generally caters for babies, toddlers and preschool-aged children, providing care and early childhood education throughout the working day.
Many centres operate Monday to Friday and offer extended opening hours to accommodate parents' employment schedules.
What can you expect from Long Day Care?
Although services differ, many long day care centres offer:
Care for babies, toddlers and preschool-aged children.
Structured educational and play-based learning programs.
Qualified early childhood educators.
Indoor and outdoor learning activities.
Meals and snacks, depending on the centre.
Rest and sleep routines for younger children.
Full-day bookings, often covering approximately 10–12 hours.
Children are commonly grouped according to age, with separate learning spaces for babies, toddlers and older children.
Do you pay for the entire day?
Often, yes.
Many centres charge according to the booked session rather than the exact number of hours your child attends.
For example, if your child is enrolled in an 11-hour session but attends for only eight hours, you may still be charged for the full booked session.
This makes it important to understand how each centre structures its fees.
Our tip: Ask about opening hours, minimum attendance requirements, session lengths, meals, nappies and whether the centre also offers a preschool or kindergarten program.
3. Family Day Care: A Smaller, Home-Based Alternative
Family Day Care offers a different environment from traditional centre-based childcare.
It is generally provided by an approved educator in their own home, operating under an approved family day care service.
For families who prefer a smaller group environment, this can be an appealing alternative.
What can you expect from Family Day Care?
Typical features include:
Smaller groups of children.
A home-like learning environment.
Children of different ages learning and playing together.
Play-based educational activities.
Potentially more flexible hours, depending on the educator.
Care for babies, toddlers and sometimes school-aged children.
Because care takes place in smaller groups, children may have opportunities to interact with other age groups throughout the day.
Is Family Day Care eligible for government subsidies?
Approved Family Day Care services can qualify for the Australian Government's Child Care Subsidy, provided the family also meets the applicable eligibility requirements.
However, fees, operating hours, available places, meals and other arrangements differ between educators.
What happens if the educator is unavailable?
This is an important consideration.
Because Family Day Care often involves a single educator, you should ask what happens if that person is unwell, takes annual leave or is otherwise unavailable.
Some services may be able to assist with alternative arrangements, but this isn't necessarily guaranteed.
Our tip: Before enrolling, ask about educator leave, closures and whether backup care is available.
4. Preschool and Kindergarten: What's the Difference?
The difference between preschool and kindergarten can be particularly confusing for families moving from overseas.
In Australia, these terms do not mean exactly the same thing in every state.
For example, in New South Wales, Kindergarten is the first year of primary school.
However, in states such as Queensland and Victoria, kindergarten commonly refers to an early childhood education program undertaken before starting primary school.
What is preschool?
Preschool generally refers to an early childhood education program designed to support children's learning and development before they begin formal schooling.
Programs commonly focus on:
Learning through play.
Developing language and communication skills.
Building social relationships.
Encouraging independence.
Supporting emotional development.
Preparing children for the transition to school.
Some preschool programs operate within long day care centres.
Others are offered through standalone, community-based or government-supported preschool services.
Is preschool the same as full-time childcare?
Not necessarily.
Some preschools operate according to school terms and have shorter opening hours than long day care centres.
They may also close during school holidays.
For working parents, this can create practical challenges if care is required throughout the working day or across the entire year.
Government-funded preschool arrangements, enrolment ages and fees also differ between states and territories.
Our tip: If you need childcare while working full-time, check the service's daily operating hours, term dates and holiday arrangements before enrolling.
5. What Happens When Your Child Starts Primary School?
Australian primary schools generally finish in the afternoon, often around 3 pm.
For parents working standard business hours, this can create a gap between the end of the school day and the time they're available to collect their children.
This is where Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) becomes important.
Before School Care
Before School Care provides supervision and activities before the school day begins.
It can be particularly useful for parents who need to leave home early for work.
After School Care
After School Care operates after the school day finishes. Programs often include afternoon tea, supervised play, organised activities and opportunities for children to relax.
Vacation Care
Vacation Care programs operate during school holiday periods and, depending on the service, may also provide care on certain pupil-free days.
Many OSHC services operate on school grounds or in nearby community facilities.
Does school enrolment guarantee an OSHC place?
No.
Enrolling your child at a particular school doesn't automatically guarantee that they'll have a place in its before- or after-school care program.
Some services have limited capacity and may operate waiting lists.
Our tip: If both parents will be working, investigate before- and after-school care at the same time as arranging school enrolment.
6. How Much Does Childcare Cost in Australia in 2026?
Childcare can be one of the largest ongoing expenses for families relocating to Australia.
The amount you'll pay depends on several factors, including:
The type of childcare service.
Your location.
Your child's age.
The centre's fees.
Your booked session lengths.
The number of days your child attends.
Whether you're eligible for government subsidies.
Average Childcare Fees in Australia
According to Australian Government data for April–June 2026, the national average hourly fees were:
Childcare type | Average hourly fee |
Centre-Based Day Care | $14.60 |
Family Day Care | $13.95 |
Outside School Hours Care | $10.05 |
These figures are national averages, not fixed government prices.
Actual fees may be considerably higher or lower depending on the service and location.
What does that mean per day?
Using the national average Centre-Based Day Care fee of $14.60 per hour, a 10-hour childcare session would cost approximately:
$146 per day before subsidies.
That equates to:
Three days per week: $438.
Five days per week: $730.
Over 52 weeks, five days per week at this illustrative rate would cost approximately $37,960 before any subsidies.
However, some centres charge substantially more, particularly in expensive metropolitan suburbs.
Why does the length of the session matter?
If a centre charges for a 12-hour session, your fee may be higher than a centre charging a similar hourly rate for a 10-hour session.
For example, at $14.60 per hour:
A 10-hour session costs $146.
A 12-hour session costs $175.20.
This means you should compare the total daily fee, rather than relying solely on the advertised hourly price.
Our tip: Always compare both the full childcare fee and your expected out-of-pocket cost after any government subsidies.
7. What Is the Australian Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?
The Australian Government provides financial assistance to eligible families through the Child Care Subsidy, commonly called CCS.
This subsidy helps reduce the cost of approved childcare services.
However, it isn't automatically available to every family living in Australia.
How does the Child Care Subsidy work?
The amount of CCS a family may receive depends on several factors.
These include:
Your combined family income.
Your eligibility under the residence rules.
The type of childcare service.
Your child's age.
The applicable government hourly rate cap.
Your family's circumstances, including whether multiple young children are attending care.
For most eligible families, the subsidy is paid directly to the approved childcare provider.
The provider then reduces the amount charged to the family.
Parents pay the remaining amount, commonly referred to as the gap fee.
What is the gap fee?
The gap fee is the portion of your childcare costs that isn't covered by the government subsidy.
For example, if a childcare session costs $150 and the subsidy applied to that session is $100, the remaining gap fee would be $50.
The actual subsidy is calculated according to the relevant rules, not simply as a percentage of the total invoice.
This distinction becomes particularly important when a centre's fees exceed the government's hourly subsidy cap.
Our tip: Before committing to a childcare budget, use the official Child Care Subsidy calculator and confirm that your family meets the eligibility requirements.
8. How Much Child Care Subsidy Can You Receive in 2026–27?
For the 2026–27 financial year, standard Child Care Subsidy percentages are based on combined family income.
Standard CCS Income Thresholds
Combined annual family income | Standard CCS percentage |
$88,520 or less | 90% |
Above $88,520 and below $538,520 | Progressively reduces from 90% to 0% |
$538,520 or more | 0% under the standard income-based rate |
For families earning more than $88,520, the standard subsidy percentage reduces by approximately one percentage point for every additional $5,000 of family income.
Families with multiple children aged five or younger may qualify for a higher subsidy rate for certain children.
Does a 90% subsidy mean the government pays 90% of your childcare bill?
Not necessarily.
This is an important point that families sometimes misunderstand.
The CCS percentage generally applies to the lower of:
The childcare provider's hourly fee.
The government's applicable hourly rate cap.
Any amount charged above the hourly rate cap is not covered by the standard subsidy calculation.
An example of how the subsidy cap works
Suppose a childcare centre charges $17 per hour.
For 2026–27, the standard hourly subsidy cap for Centre-Based Day Care for a child below school age is $15.19.
If your family qualifies for a 90% subsidy, the basic calculation would be:
90% × $15.19 = approximately $13.67 per hour.
Your remaining cost would therefore be approximately:
$17 − $13.67 = $3.33 per hour.
For a 10-hour session, that's approximately $33.30 out of pocket, before considering any applicable withholding or other adjustments.
This is why comparing subsidy percentages alone can be misleading.
Two centres charging different fees can leave families with very different out-of-pocket expenses, even where their CCS percentage is identical.
Our tip: Calculate the actual gap fee when comparing childcare providers, not simply the percentage of subsidy you're entitled to receive.
9. New for 2026: The 3 Day Childcare Guarantee
On 5 January 2026, the Australian Government introduced the 3 Day Guarantee for families eligible for the Child Care Subsidy.
Under this change, CCS-eligible families can receive subsidies for at least:
72 hours of childcare per fortnight.
That's approximately three days per week.
What changed?
Previously, the number of subsidised childcare hours available to many families depended on an activity test, which considered activities such as employment and study.
Under the 3 Day Guarantee, eligible families can receive the minimum 72 subsidised hours per fortnight regardless of how much they work or study.
Some families qualify for up to 100 subsidised hours per fortnight.
This can apply in circumstances such as higher recognised participation levels, certain exemptions or other qualifying situations.
Does this guarantee your child a place at a centre?
No.
The 3 Day Guarantee is a guarantee of minimum subsidised hours for CCS-eligible families.
It does not guarantee that a childcare centre will have a vacancy.
You must still secure a place with a provider, and you may still need to pay a gap fee.
Does the guarantee apply to temporary visa holders?
Only where the family meets the underlying CCS eligibility requirements.
The 3 Day Guarantee does not automatically make every family living in Australia eligible for subsidised childcare.
This is particularly important for newcomers arriving on temporary visas.
Our tip: Check your family's CCS eligibility before relying on the 3 Day Guarantee when planning your childcare arrangements.
10. Moving to Australia on a Temporary Visa? Check Your Childcare Subsidy Eligibility
One of the most expensive mistakes relocating families can make is assuming they'll receive subsidised childcare simply because they're moving to Australia for employment.
Unfortunately, this isn't always the case.
Which visa holders may qualify for CCS?
The residence requirements generally include eligible families where a parent or partner living in Australia holds:
Australian citizenship.
Australian permanent residency.
A qualifying Special Category visa, including eligible New Zealand citizens.
Certain specified temporary visas, including some partner provisional or protection visas.
Additional exemptions and special circumstances may also apply.
What about temporary work visas and student visas?
Many common temporary employment and student visas do not automatically provide eligibility for the Child Care Subsidy.
Eligibility can depend on the exact visa subclass and whether an exemption applies.
For example, some overseas students receiving particular Australian Government assistance may meet the residence requirements.
However, families shouldn't assume that obtaining a temporary visa or employment sponsorship automatically provides access to subsidised childcare.
What happens if you're not eligible?
You may need to pay the full childcare fee.
This can have a significant impact on your family's cost of living.
For example, if a childcare centre charges $150 per day:
Three days per week: $450.
Five days per week: $750.
Five days per week for 52 weeks: $39,000.
For a family with two children requiring full-time childcare, the potential expense could be considerably higher.
Why should you check before relocating?
Childcare costs can affect your overall relocation budget, particularly when combined with rent, transport and other living expenses.
They may also influence whether both parents intend to work immediately after arriving in Australia.
Our tip: Check the Child Care Subsidy residence requirements for your exact visa subclass before calculating your family's childcare expenses. Don't rely on a general assumption that temporary residents receive the same benefits as permanent residents.
11. Where Can You Find and Compare Childcare Centres in Australia?
One of the most useful resources for families moving to Australia is Starting Blocks.
Website: https://www.startingblocks.gov.au
Starting Blocks is an Australian Government website designed to help parents research and compare early childhood education and care services.
What can you use Starting Blocks for?
You can:
Search for childcare services near a particular suburb or address.
Compare Centre-Based Day Care, Family Day Care and other services.
Review advertised fees.
Check reported vacancies.
View official service quality ratings.
Explore inclusions and service details.
Compare childcare providers.
Estimate Child Care Subsidy and out-of-pocket costs.
Where else should you search?
Other useful resources include:
Individual childcare provider websites.
Local council websites.
Community Facebook groups.
Recommendations from other parents.
Google Maps to assess locations and commuting routes.
Should you search near home or work?
Ideally, consider both.
For example, a childcare centre close to your home might seem convenient, but if it's in the opposite direction from your workplace, drop-off and collection could add considerable time to your commute.
Alternatively, a centre near your workplace might be more practical on working days but less convenient on days when you're not travelling to the office.
Our tip: Consider your entire daily journey when comparing childcare locations, not just the distance from your home.
12. Do Childcare Centres in Australia Have Waiting Lists?
Yes. Depending on where you're moving, securing a childcare vacancy can be challenging.
Some popular childcare centres receive more applications than they have available places.
This can be particularly common for babies and younger toddlers.
What should parents know about childcare waitlists?
You may need to contact centres several months before your preferred starting date.
Some services may charge an application or waitlist fee.
Particular days of the week may be harder to secure than others.
Joining a waitlist doesn't guarantee a place.
Availability can change throughout the year.
Some centres have sibling priority or other enrolment policies.
Should you join multiple waiting lists?
It's generally sensible to contact several suitable childcare providers rather than relying on just one.
When making enquiries, explain:
Your child's age.
The number of days you require.
Your preferred attendance days.
Your anticipated starting date.
Whether your requirements are flexible.
You should also ask how the centre manages its waiting list and when you might expect an update.
Our tip: Begin researching childcare while you're still considering which Australian suburbs to live in, rather than waiting until after you've secured your rental property.
13. How Do You Choose the Right Childcare Centre?
Location is important, but it shouldn't be the only factor when choosing a childcare provider.
Once you've shortlisted several services, arrange a tour where possible.
If you're still overseas, ask whether a virtual tour or video consultation is available.
What should you look for?
Quality ratings
Review the service's official National Quality Standard rating. Australian approved childcare services are assessed against national quality requirements.
Educators
Observe how educators interact with children. Are they attentive, engaged, supportive and responsive to individual needs?
Daily routines
Ask about meals, naps, outdoor play, educational activities and how the centre supports children settling into care.
Facilities
Look at indoor and outdoor learning spaces, bathrooms, sleeping areas and general cleanliness.
Parent communication
Ask how the centre communicates with parents. Some services provide daily updates, photographs or information about meals, sleep and activities through an online application.
Fees
Find out exactly what's included in the daily fee and whether additional charges apply.
Policies
Understand how the centre manages illness, medication, allergies, emergencies and other important situations.
What matters most?
An attractive childcare centre isn't necessarily the best centre for your child.
The quality of interactions between educators and children, the learning environment and the service's approach to care are all important considerations.
Our tip: Look beyond the appearance of the facilities. Pay particular attention to how educators interact with children and how comfortable and supported the children appear.
14. What Documents Do You Need to Enrol Your Child?
Once a childcare centre offers your child a place, you'll generally need to complete enrolment paperwork and provide supporting information.
Common enrolment requirements
These may include:
Your child's full name and date of birth.
Parent or guardian contact details.
Emergency contacts.
Authorised collection arrangements.
Medical conditions, allergies and medication details.
Immunisation records.
Relevant custody or parenting orders.
Dietary requirements.
Requested attendance days.
Payment details.
What if you're claiming the Child Care Subsidy?
You may also need Centrelink Customer Reference Numbers (CRNs) for the parent and child.
Families generally need to make a CCS claim and confirm the childcare enrolment through their Centrelink account.
What about overseas vaccination records?
If your child was vaccinated outside Australia, it's worth organising their vaccination records before leaving your home country.
You may need to arrange for their records to be assessed and appropriately recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register.
Children must meet relevant immunisation requirements for families to receive CCS, unless an accepted exemption or catch-up arrangement applies.
Our tip: Request your child's vaccination records before departing and investigate whether any additional steps are required to meet Australian childcare enrolment and subsidy requirements.
15. Childcare Fees Aren't Always as Simple as They Look
Before accepting a childcare place, make sure you understand exactly how the centre charges families.
The advertised daily fee doesn't always reflect the total cost of your childcare arrangements over the year.
Important questions to ask your childcare provider
Public holidays
Are fees charged if your child's usual booked day falls on a public holiday and the centre is closed?
Sick days
Do you still pay when your child is unwell and unable to attend?
Booked hours
Are you charged for the full session even if your child attends for fewer hours?
Meals and nappies
Are these included in the fee, or do parents need to supply them?
Enrolment fees
Are there administration charges, deposits or other upfront costs?
Late collection
Does the centre charge additional fees if you're late collecting your child?
Family holidays
Can you pause or reduce your bookings while travelling?
Notice periods
How much notice must you provide to change attendance days or cancel your enrolment?
Can you receive CCS when your child is absent?
The Child Care Subsidy has rules regarding allowable absences.
Eligible families generally have a certain number of allowable absence days each financial year, and additional circumstances may qualify under specific rules.
However, childcare centres may still charge fees for booked sessions when a child doesn't attend.
Our tip: Compare the total annual cost of childcare, not simply the advertised daily fee. This is particularly important if you're planning holidays, have irregular working arrangements or expect to change attendance days.
16. Why Childcare Availability Should Influence Where You Choose to Live
For families relocating to Australia, finding the right childcare can be just as important as finding the right rental property.
Imagine securing a beautiful family home in your preferred suburb, only to discover:
The closest childcare centres have lengthy waiting lists.
The only available centre is 25 minutes away.
Childcare drop-off adds significant time to your daily commute.
Nearby services don't offer the days you need.
Local childcare fees are substantially higher than you anticipated.
Suddenly, a property that initially seemed ideal may become less practical for your family's everyday routine.
What should you consider before choosing a suburb?
When comparing locations, investigate:
Proximity to childcare centres.
Current and anticipated vacancies.
Daily fees and operating hours.
Travel time to work during peak periods.
Nearby schools for older siblings.
Public transport access and parking.
Parks, playgrounds and other family amenities.
How can a relocation consultant help?
At Relocation Services Australia, we understand that choosing a suburb involves much more than finding a property within your rental budget.
During our initial consultation, we discuss your family's lifestyle, employment arrangements, commuting requirements and priorities.
We use this information to recommend suburbs that we believe will suit your practical needs.
For families with young children, this means considering childcare availability, nearby schools and access to family-friendly amenities alongside your property requirements.
Our aim is to help you find a home that works for your family's daily life, rather than simply choosing a rental based on its appearance or price.
Our tip: Begin your childcare research before finalising where you'll live. Understanding local childcare options can help you make a much more informed decision about your new neighbourhood.
17. Moving to Australia With Children? Let Us Make Your Relocation Easier
Relocating internationally with young children involves a lot of moving parts.
Between researching childcare, organising schools, choosing a suitable suburb and securing somewhere to live, there's a considerable amount to coordinate.
And when you have young children, spending weeks in temporary accommodation while travelling between rental inspections can make the move even more challenging.
At Relocation Services Australia, we help individuals and families navigate the Australian rental market while they're still overseas.
Our team can assist with:
Researching and recommending suitable suburbs.
Identifying rental properties that match your requirements.
Attending property inspections on your behalf.
Preparing and submitting rental applications.
Communicating with property managers.
Coordinating practical relocation arrangements, depending on your service package.
One of the main reasons clients choose to work with us is the opportunity to secure a rental property before arriving in Australia.
This could help you avoid weeks of expensive family-sized temporary accommodation, potentially save thousands of dollars and move directly into your new home.
We also provide ongoing relocation support to help make the transition to life in Australia easier.
Planning Your Family's Move to Australia?
You don't need to have every detail finalised before speaking with us.
If you know where you're planning to relocate, have an approximate arrival date and understand your accommodation budget, we can discuss the most appropriate approach for your family.
Contact Relocation Services Australia to arrange an initial consultation and find out how we can help you prepare for your move.
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