From January 2026, Australian families will be guaranteed access to at least 72 hours of subsidised early childhood education and care (ECEC) each fortnight, which is equivalent to around three days of care per week.
The 3 Day Guarantee replaces the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Activity Test, meaning more children will be able to attend high-quality early learning programs, regardless of how many hours their parents work or study.
What Is the 3 Day Guarantee?
Under the current CCS system, your subsidy depends on how much time you spend in recognised activities such as work, study or training. From January 2026, this will change in a way that is simpler and fairer for families.
Under the 3 Day Guarantee:
- All families eligible for CCS will receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, regardless of work or study hours.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families will receive 100 hours per fortnight, which equates to up to five days each week.
- The Activity Test will be removed for the first 72 hours, allowing families greater certainty and more consistent access to early learning.
- Care will continue to be subsidised, not free. Your subsidy percentage is based on household income, with eligible families receiving up to 95 percent off fees.
- Some families may still receive more than 72 hours. This includes families with higher workforce participation or those receiving additional subsidies or exemptions.
How 72 hours may work week to week
In most cases, 72 hours will translate to around three standard long days of care each week. However, services may choose to offer these hours across shorter session lengths, which means some families will be able to spread their hours across more days. This may also help reduce out of pocket costs for certain families, depending on how their service structures sessions.
To learn more about how the Child Care Subsidy is calculated, visit the Department of Education’s official CCS page.
Frequently asked questions
Who gets the 3 Day Guarantee?
All families who are eligible for CCS.
When did the 3 Day Guarantee start?
The change started on 5 January 2026.
Do families need to apply for the 3 Day Guarantee?
Families who already get CCS do not need to do anything. They will automatically receive the minimum 72 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight.
Families who were not eligible for CCS before, or who have never claimed CCS, must make a CCS claim before they can get the guaranteed 72 hours.
Does the 3 Day Guarantee guarantee a place in childcare?
No. Families must still secure a place with a childcare provider.
Where can families find more information?
Families can visit the Services Australia website to:
