The 3 Day Guarantee What It Means for Your Family

In short: From January 2026, eligible families can access at least three days (72 hours per fortnight) of subsidised child care under the Australian Government’s 3 Day Guarantee.

From 5 January 2026, the Australian Government introduced changes to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) called the 3 Day Guarantee. These changes replace the previous CCS activity test and make it easier for families to access subsidised child care.

If you are eligible for CCS, the 3 Day Guarantee means you can now access at least 72 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight. This is the same as three days of care per week, even if you work, study, or take part in recognised activities for fewer hours than before.

You may be able to access up to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight if:

• You have more than 48 hours of recognised participation per fortnight
• You have an approved exemption
• You receive Additional Child Care Subsidy
• You are caring for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child

While the 3 Day Guarantee increases access to subsidised care, some things stay the same. You still need to meet CCS eligibility requirements, secure a place with your chosen child care provider, and pay any applicable gap fee based on your CCS percentage.

If you are exploring care options, you can view Children First centres to see which services may be available in your area.

The 3 Day Guarantee applies to federally funded child care services, including long day care and outside school hours care. Please note that Balmoral Street Preschool is a state funded preschool and is not eligible for the Child Care Subsidy, so the 3 Day Guarantee does not apply.

At Children First, we support changes that help families access early learning and reduce barriers to care. As every family’s situation is different, we encourage you to visit Services Australia for the most accurate and up-to-date information about how the 3 Day Guarantee applies to your family.

The Australian Government 3 Day Guarantee Fact Sheet is also available to download for a clear overview of the changes.