Big news, parents. From January 2026, you’ll be guaranteed three days of subsidised child care per week, no matter how much you work, study, or attempt to function on caffeine alone.
If you’ve ever found yourself stressed out by eligibility rules or scrambling to meet work requirements just to keep your child’s care spot, this is a huge shift.
But what does the 3 Day Child Care Guarantee mean for your family’s child care costs?
💡 Use our Child Care Subsidy Calculator to see how much you could save.
So, let’s break it down: what’s changing, how it’ll impact your family, and what it means for your bank account.
What’s changing with the child care subsidy in 2026?
Right now, to get the full child care subsidy, you have to meet the Activity Test, which basically means proving you work, study, or volunteer for at least 16 hours per fortnight. No proof? Less subsidised care.
From 2026, that requirement disappears for the first three days of care each week. That means:
- Every family earning under $533,280 per year will get six fully subsidised days (72 hours) of child care per fortnight.
- First Nations families will get 100 hours per fortnight of subsidised care.
- Families who already qualify for 100 hours (due to work/study) will keep them.
- No more stress about proving you “qualify” for care. You just get it.
This is a huge shift towards making early education more accessible, without the guilt or the admin.
How the 3 Day Child Care Guarantee affects families
In simple terms, the 3-Day Child Care Guarantee means: more freedom, less financial stress, and easier access to early learning.
- More flexibility: You don’t have to justify why you need care, you just get it.
- Lower costs: Many families will save thousands per year.
- Better access to early education: More kids in child care = better school readiness.
And now, let’s put some actual dollars behind those benefits.
How much will families save with the 3-Day Child Care Guarantee?
The government’s fact sheet outlines how much families can expect to save, based on:
- One child in care for 36 hours per week (three full days).
- 50 weeks of care per year.
- Average Centre-Based Day Care hourly fees for 2025–26.
- Rounded savings estimates for clarity.
Annual Household Income | Savings Per Week | Savings Per Year (50 weeks of care) |
| $90,000 | $230 | $11,400 |
| $120,000 | $220 | $10,630 |
| $140,000 | $200 | $10,110 |
For some families, that’s the equivalent of an entire family holiday, a huge dent in the grocery bill, or just knowing you won’t have to stress about affording care each month.
How this helps real families
Because numbers are great, but real-life impact is better.
Sarah & Alex: Saving $11,400 a year
Sarah works full-time. Alex works eight hours a week. They earn $90,000 per year and have one child in care.
- Before: They only got 36 subsidised hours per fortnight because Alex’s work hours were too low.
- Now: They automatically qualify for 72 hours per fortnight.
- Savings: $230 per week or $11,400 per year.
Jess & Priya: No more work-hour anxiety
Jess and Priya earn $120,000 per year and work flexible, casual jobs. Before, their child care access depended on their (sometimes unpredictable) work schedules.
- Before: If they didn’t meet the Activity Test, they lost subsidised hours.
- Now: They get three guaranteed days of care, no conditions attached.
Michael: No more guesswork
Michael is a single dad with two kids. His work hours change every fortnight, making it hard to plan anything, let alone child care.
- Before: His subsidy changed depending on his hours worked.
- Now: He has three fixed days of subsidised care, making life a whole lot easier.
Why the Government introduced the 3 Day Child Care Guarantee
For years, the Activity Test has locked out families who need child care the most. A government review confirmed what many parents already knew: the system wasn’t working, and it was stopping kids from getting the early education they need.
Now, this 3-Day Child Care Guarantee:
- Helps over 66,700 families immediately.
- Saves some families up to $11,400 per year.
- Removes unnecessary barriers so more kids can access quality early learning.
It’s a step towards universal early childhood education, meaning less stress for parents, better outcomes for kids.
What’s next?
The 3-Day Guarantee will take effect from January 2026. More details will be available in the coming months for families and child care providers.
Find child care providers near you
With these new subsidies coming, now’s a great time to start looking for child care options that fit your family’s needs.
- Use Care for Kids to search, compare, and connect with child care providers near you.
What do you think? Will this make child care easier for you? Run your numbers with our Child Care Subsidy Calculator and start your child care search today!
3 Day Child Care Guarantee FAQs
Who is eligible for the 3 Day Child Care Guarantee?
All families earning under $533,280 per year will be eligible for the 3 Day Child Care Guarantee from January 2026. This provides three subsidised days of child care per week, regardless of work, study, or activity levels.
When does the 3 Day Child Care Guarantee start?
The 3 Day Child Care Guarantee will take effect from January 2026. Updated guidance for families and child care providers is expected closer to the start date.
Do I still need to meet the Activity Test?
No. From January 2026, families will no longer need to meet the Activity Test to access the first three days of subsidised child care each week. Additional subsidised hours may still depend on work or study activity.
How many subsidised hours will families receive?
Most eligible families will receive 72 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight (equivalent to three days per week). First Nations families will receive up to 100 hours per fortnight of subsidised care.
Will families who already qualify for 100 hours lose hours?
No. Families who already qualify for 100 hours per fortnight through work or study will keep their existing subsidy level.
How much will families save with the 3 Day Child Care Guarantee?
Savings depend on household income and child care fees, but many families are expected to save up to $11,400 per year, based on one child attending three days per week for 50 weeks of care.
Does this apply to all types of child care?
The 3 Day Child Care Guarantee applies to approved child care services, including centre-based day care and other Child Care Subsidy-approved providers.
