There are a range of payments and services to help families with the costs of child care and here’s a brief explanation of the Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate.
Child Care Benefit (CCB) can help you with the cost of approved and registered child care.
Child Care Rebate (CCR) can help you with the cost of approved and registered child care.
Child Care Benefit (CCB)
Helps with costs for approved and registered care such as long, family or occasional day care, outside school hour care, vacation care, pre-school and kindergarten.
To be eligible, you need to:
- use approved or registered child care
- be responsible for paying the child care fees for your child
- ensure your child is immunised, on an immunisation catch up schedule, or is exempt from the immunisation requirements, and
- meet the residence requirements
To receive more than a zero rate of Child Care Benefit you must meet the income test.
Rates are adjusted on 1 July each year, in line with the consumer price index.
The following payment rates for 2015-16 are a guide only.
Approved care
The current approved care rate for a non-school aged child is $4.17 per hour, or $208.50 per week.
Registered care
The current registered care rate for a non-school aged child in up to 50 hours of care per week is $0.696 per hour, or $34.80 per child per week.
You can choose how your Child Care Benefit is paid either as a Fee reduction or Lump Sum.
You will not be entitled to any Child Care Benefit for approved care if your family income is more than the following thresholds:
| Number of children attending approved child care |
Income limits before your payment reduces to $0 |
|
1 |
$152,147 |
|
2 |
$157,654 |
|
3 or more |
$178,023 plus $33,671 for each |
Child Care Rebate (CCR)
Covers 50% of out of pocket child care expenses for approved child care, up to a maximum amount per child per year, in addition to any other child care assistance.
You may be eligible for Child Care Rebate if:
- you use a Child Care Benefit approved child care service
- you are eligible for Child Care Benefit, even if you earn too much to receive payment, and
- you and your partner meet the Work, Training, Study test or are exempt from it
Child Care Rebate is not income tested.
The amount of Child Care Rebate is based on 50% of your out of pocket expenses.
The maximum amount of Child Care Rebate you can get is $7,500 per child per year.
There are 4 ways to receive your Child Care Rebate.
You meet the work, training, study test for Child Care Rebate if you and your partner participated in work-related commitments at some time during the week in which you used child care or are exempt from that requirement. No minimum number of hours is required.
Kyla Dalton – Accountant
