The government changed the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) rules on Jan 5, 2026. They call it a "72-hour guarantee," but the math says it's not a free ride.
The "Free" Illusion
The marketing says you now get 72 hours of subsidized care regardless of how much you work. However, this doesn't mean the care is free. Your specific income-tested subsidy percentage still applies to every single hour you use.
The Gap trap
If your subsidy rate is 50%, you are still responsible for the other 50% of the bill. It gets stickier if your centre charges more than the government's $14.63 hourly cap, which means you pay the entire difference out of your own pocket.
Run the Numbers
Don't rely on the brochure. The only way to know your actual out-of-pocket cost is to run your specific household income through a simulator.
Stop guessing. Check your real position in the entitlemate app today.