Childcare Reality Check

Step 1

Basic CCS estimate

Family income, children and a typical week.

Combined household income

Before tax. Both partners. ?CCS tapers from 90% to 0% between $83,280 and $533,280.

Estimated CCS %

Auto from income, or override.

79%

Children in care

AgeCare typeDaily fee ($)Hours/sessionDays/week

CCS only subsidises up to the hourly rate cap (LDC/Vac $14.29/hr, OSHC $12.51/hr). Anything above is paid by you.

Step 2

Real-life fortnightly pattern

Most families don't have the same days every week. Build week A vs week B.

Daily fee ($)Week A — daysWeek B — days

Week A

$85

Week B

$57

Per fortnight

$142

Per year

$3,685

Step 3

School holiday / vacation care

Holiday programs, student-free days and closures add up fast.

Daily vac care fee ($)Children using itHoliday + student-free days / yr

Per day after CCS

$23

Added per year

$693

Weekly budget

$13

Step 4

What-if scenarios

How your real cost changes when life changes.

One fewer care day per child

$2,835/yr OOP

-$1,417 per year · -$27 / week vs your current setup

This change reduces your annual cost by about $1,418.

One extra care day per child

$5,670/yr OOP

+$1,418 per year · +$27 / week vs your current setup

This change increases your annual cost by about $1,418.

Add a second child (age 1, LDC)

$8,505/yr OOP

+$4,253 per year · +$82 / week vs your current setup

This change increases your annual cost by about $4,253.

Partner adds $65k income

$6,885/yr OOP

+$2,633 per year · +$51 / week vs your current setup

This change increases your annual cost by about $2,633.

Switch to after-school care

$882/yr OOP

-$3,370 per year · -$65 / week vs your current setup

This change reduces your annual cost by about $3,371.

Step 5

Is working more worth it?

See what an extra work day actually puts in your pocket after tax, care and commute.

Extra work days / wkHourly rate ($)Hours / extra dayMarginal tax rateExtra care $ / dayCommute/fuel/parking / day

Extra gross income / yr	$17,280
− Estimated tax	−$5,616
− Extra childcare	−$6,480
− Commute / fuel / parking	−$1,200
Net amount kept	$3,984

Verdict: You keep approximately $83 per extra work day after tax, care and commute.

Summary

Plain-English results

The headline numbers, in real words.

1Your average amount to budget each week is $82.
2Adding one extra care day per child costs about $1,418 per year.
3Adding a partner with $65k income could increase your annual childcare cost by $2,633.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only and is not government advice. Actual Child Care Subsidy depends on Services Australia rules, your activity test, income, care type, provider fees, hourly rate caps and individual circumstances.