When childcare fees change, your out-of-pocket costs may change too — and your previous CCS estimate or baseline may no longer match real life.
Estimate your CCS today — then keep checking when life changes.
Free snapshot — no account needed. Track My CCS — A$4.99/month, login required, cancel anytime.
The Child Care Subsidy is calculated based on several factors — including your family income, your recognised activity hours, and the fees your childcare provider charges. When fees change, the out-of-pocket amount you pay may also change.
A previous CCS estimate is based on the details entered at the time. If your provider's fees have changed since then, that estimate may no longer accurately reflect your current out-of-pocket costs.
It is worth noting that higher fees do not always mean proportionally higher CCS. There are hourly rate caps that set the maximum fee amount that CCS applies to. If your provider charges above the applicable cap, the portion above the cap is paid in full by the family regardless of CCS percentage. Running a checkup with updated fee details can help you see how the numbers might look based on the details you enter.
Services Australia/Centrelink determines actual CCS outcomes based on your individual circumstances. CCS Checkup provides estimate-only decision support based on the details families enter.
Consider running a CCS checkup if any of the following apply to your family:
Annual childcare fee increases
Many providers increase fees at the start of the calendar year or financial year. When fees change, your previous estimate or baseline may no longer reflect your current out-of-pocket costs.
Change of childcare provider
Different providers charge different fees. Moving your child to a new provider means your CCS estimate may need to be checked against the new fee.
Change in care type
Switching between long day care, family day care, or outside school hours care can affect both fees and how CCS applies.
Extra care days or longer sessions
If your child attends more days or longer sessions, total fees change and your previous out-of-pocket estimate may no longer match.
Different session fees
Some providers charge different rates for different sessions or age groups. If your session fee changes, your estimate may need a check.
New service fee structure
If your provider has introduced a new pricing structure, your previous estimate based on old fees may no longer be accurate.
Fee estimate no longer looks right
Even without a specific fee event, if the fee you entered as your baseline no longer appears to match what you are actually being charged, a check may be worthwhile.
A one-off CCS estimate is based on the details you enter at the time. It reflects a snapshot of your fees, income, and care arrangements at that moment.
Childcare fees can change during the financial year — sometimes more than once. Each time fees change, the gap between your previous estimate and your actual situation may widen.
That is why a one-off snapshot is a useful starting point — but ongoing checkups are what help families stay on top of their CCS when fees change, care arrangements shift, or other circumstances evolve.
Want a free one-off snapshot first? See how the Quick CCS Calculator works.
Estimate-only decision support
CCS Checkup is not a generic calculator. It is designed for ongoing checkups — so you can compare your current CCS baseline against projected changes in fees or other circumstances, and see what the difference might look like based on the details you enter.
Start with a free one-off snapshot:
The Quick CCS Calculator gives you a free estimate of your out-of-pocket childcare costs. No subscription needed. It is a useful starting point when fees have changed and you want to see how the numbers might look with updated details.
Then track ongoing changes with Track My CCS:
A$4.99/month. Cancel anytime. Secure payment via Stripe.
CCS Checkup provides estimate-only decision support. All results are based on the details families enter. It is not connected to Services Australia or your Centrelink records, and does not access, read, or update any official records.
CCS Checkup does not provide financial, tax, legal, accounting, Centrelink, Services Australia, or government advice of any kind.
Services Australia and Centrelink determine actual CCS entitlements, payments, debts, and balancing outcomes based on your individual circumstances. CCS Checkup does not replace Centrelink or Services Australia.
If your childcare fees have changed and you believe your CCS details may no longer be accurate, the right next step is to check directly with Services Australia — either via myGov or by contacting Centrelink. CCS Checkup can help you think through the possible picture before you do.
Start with a free one-off snapshot, or go straight to Track My CCS for ongoing checkups when life changes.
Free snapshot — no account needed. Track My CCS — A$4.99/month, login required, cancel anytime.
Helpful CCS checkup topics
View all CCS checkup topicsBuilt from real CCS experience
CCS Checkup was created from real parent experience with the Child Care Subsidy system, supported by a background in finance and numbers. It helps families estimate, check and better understand when their CCS details may need reviewing — especially when life changes.
Estimate-only decision support. Not financial, tax, legal, accounting, Centrelink, Services Australia or government advice.
Read why CCS Checkup existsDisclaimer: CCS Checkup provides estimates and decision-support tools for general information only. Results are not guaranteed and do not constitute financial, tax, legal, or government advice. Actual CCS entitlements, subsidised hours, withholding, payments, debts and balancing outcomes are determined by Services Australia / Centrelink based on your individual circumstances. Always verify your details with Services Australia before making decisions or changes to your Centrelink records. CCS Checkup is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Services Australia or the Australian Government.
Read our Privacy Policy.
