CCS Rates 2026–27: Confirmed Rates from 6 July 2026
The 2026–27 CCS rates are confirmed and in effect from 6 July 2026. Income thresholds and hourly caps have been indexed upward from 2025–26 figures. The structure remains identical — same 90% maximum rate, same 1% per $5,000 taper.
Use the 2026–27 rates in the calculator
CCSChecker defaults to 2026–27 confirmed rates. You can toggle to 2025–26 rates to check balancing or compare results across years.
The 2026–27 calculator uses:
- confirmed CCS income thresholds (in effect 6 July 2026)
- confirmed CCS hourly rate caps (in effect 6 July 2026)
- confirmed 2026–27 Paid Parental Leave rate ($200.98/day, $1,004.90/week)
- confirmed 2026–27 tax settings where relevant
Confirmed 2026-27 CCS rates
| 2025-26 | Confirmed 2026-27 | |
|---|---|---|
| Income for full 90% CCS | up to $85,279 | up to $88,520 |
| Income where CCS reaches 0% | $535,279 | $538,520 |
| Hourly cap: Long Day Care (under school age) | $14.63 | $15.19 |
| Hourly cap: Long Day Care (school age) | $12.81 | $13.30 |
| Hourly cap: OSHC / school age | $12.81 | $13.30 |
| Hourly cap: Family Day Care | $13.56 | $14.08 |
| Hourly cap: In Home Care | $39.80 | $41.31 |
Confirmed by the Department of Education. In effect from 6 July 2026. Source: education.gov.au.
Confirmed 2026-27 second and younger child CCS rates
Families with more than one CCS eligible child aged 5 or under may get a higher CCS rate for the second and younger children. The thresholds for the higher rate are confirmed by Services Australia and in effect from 6 July 2026.
| 2026-27 family income (confirmed) | Second and younger child CCS rate |
|---|---|
| $0 to $146,437 | 95% |
| More than $146,437 to below $191,437 | Decreases from 95% to 80% |
| $191,437 to below $270,727 | 80% |
| $270,727 to below $360,727 | Decreases from 80% to 50% |
| $360,727 to below $370,727 | 50% |
| $370,727 or more | Higher rate no longer applies |
Second-child thresholds confirmed by Services Australia, effective 6 July 2026. See the second child higher CCS rate guide for full details.
What this means for your family
Higher caps mean the government covers slightly more of your fees, but only up to the cap. If your centre charges above the cap, you pay the full difference on those extra cents regardless.
For most families the dollar impact of indexation alone is modest, typically a few dollars per week. The bigger variable is whether your centre raises fees faster than CCS caps rise.
Your result will depend on your income, provider fees, care hours and attendance pattern. You can test those variables in the child care subsidy calculator.
The 3 Day Guarantee continues
The 3 Day Guarantee, introduced 5 January 2026, continues unchanged. Every eligible family gets a minimum of 72 subsidised hours per fortnight regardless of activity test. This is legislated and funded for 2026-27.
See the 3 Day Guarantee guide for full details.
Why costs can change even when rates do not
Even in years with no structural policy changes, families notice cost differences because:
- Provider fees often rise faster than CCS caps
- Income changes affect your CCS rate mid-year
- Adding or removing care days changes your entitlement
- CCS only updates from the date you tell Centrelink, not retrospectively
Keeping your income estimate current with Services Australia is the single most effective thing you can do to avoid a debt at balancing. See CCS income thresholds and steps for the rate steps that apply to your income.
FAQs
Are the 2026–27 CCS rates confirmed?
Yes. The main CCS income thresholds and hourly caps are confirmed by the Department of Education and in effect from 6 July 2026. The second child higher rate thresholds are also confirmed by Services Australia and in effect from 6 July 2026.
Will my CCS increase in 2026-27?
The subsidy caps and income thresholds have risen modestly with indexation. Whether your out-of-pocket cost goes up or down also depends on whether your centre raises fees and whether your income changes.
When did the 2026–27 rates take effect?
The confirmed 2026–27 CCS rates took effect on 6 July 2026. Families on an active CCS arrangement automatically moved to the new rates from that date.
Can I use the calculator for 2026–27?
Yes. CCSChecker defaults to 2026–27 confirmed rates. Toggle to 2025–26 to check balancing or compare your position across years.
Summary
- 2026–27 CCS income thresholds and hourly caps are confirmed — in effect from 6 July 2026
- Lower threshold rises from $85,279 to $88,520 (90% maximum rate)
- Upper cutoff rises from $535,279 to $538,520 (0% rate)
- Hourly caps rise across all service types — CBDC under school age: $14.63 → $15.19
- No structural changes to CCS — same 90% maximum, 1% per $5,000 taper
- The 3 Day Guarantee continues unchanged into 2026-27
- CCSChecker's calculator defaults to 2026–27 confirmed rates — toggle to 2025–26 for balancing checks