To reflect a significant increase in the number of grandparents taking primary responsibility for raising their grandchildren, the Australian Government offers the Grandparent Child Care Benefit (GCCB), which aims to help grandparents with the cost of child care.

The GCCB covers the full cost of child care fees for up to 50 hours per week for each child in approved care.

Approved care includes long day care, family day care, in-home care, outside school hours care, vacation care and some occasional care services. In certain circumstances grandparents may be eligible to receive GCCB for more than 50 hours per week.

Am I eligible to receive GCCB?

To be eligible for GCCB, a grandparent must be:

• the parent of another parent who has a child who is the product of a relationship (whether same-sex or opposite sex). Great-grandparents who are looking after grandchildren are eligible in the same way as grandparents, or
• the current or former partner of a grandparent if they are the primary carer of the grandchild, and
• the sole or major provider of ongoing daily care for the grandchild, and
• have substantial autonomy for the day-to-day decisions about the child's care, welfare and development, and
• meet the existing eligibility requirements for approved care, and
• be in receipt of any of the income support payments listed below:
• Age pension
• Bereavement allowance
• Community development employment project (CDEP)
• Disability support pension (blind)
• Mature age allowance
• Newstart allowance
• Partner allowance
• Special benefit
• Widow allowance
• Wife pension
• Austudy payment
• Carer payment
• Disability support pension
• DVA income support supplement or service pension
• Mature age partner allowance
• Parenting payment
• Sickness allowance
• Special needs pension
• Widow B pension
• Youth allowance

Eligible grandparent carers may not have to meet the work, training and study test to access up to 50 hours of Child Care Benefit for each child in approved care each week.

To be eligible for the waiver a grandparent must be:

• the natural, adoptive, or step grandparent of the child. Great-grandparents who are looking after grandchildren are eligible in the same way as grandparents; or
• the current or former partner of a grandparent if they are the primary carer of the grandchild and
• the sole or major provider of ongoing daily care for the grandchild; and
• have substantial autonomy for the day-to-day decisions about the child's care, welfare and development; and
• meet existing eligibility requirements for Child Care Benefit approved care

How do I apply?

To apply for the waiver of the work, training and study test and/or GCCB, grandparents need to contact the Department of Human Services to advise that they OR their partner:

• are the grandparent caring for their grandchild, and
• have the primary care of the child, and
• are eligible for CCB for approved child care

The Department of Human Services may ask for more information.

Where can I get more information?

For more information about Grandparent Child Care Benefit, please visit the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website and the Department of Human Services website or call 13 61 50.