How Much Does Childcare Cost?

Understanding Fees, Inclusions and Government Support

Working out the cost of childcare doesn’t have to be stressful. Once you understand what’s covered in your daily fee and how much government support your family is eligible for, it all starts to make sense.

At Aussie Kindies, we’re here to make it as simple and clear as possible, so you can focus on finding the right fit for your family.

What Affects the Cost of Childcare?

A few key things influence what families pay for early learning:

Centre location - fees vary by region and city
Your child’s age - care for babies and toddlers may be higher due to lower educator-to-child ratios
Days and hours attended - more days generally means higher weekly fees
Your CCS eligibility - government subsidy can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs

What’s Included in Your Daily Fee at Aussie Kindies?

At Aussie Kindies, your daily fee is designed to cover everything your child needs, so you can drop off without worrying about extras. Most of our centres include:

Five healthy meals and snacks - freshly prepared on-site each day. See more >
Nappies - provided for your convenience and peace of mind
Sun protection - hat, sunscreen and an Aussie Kindies shirt included
The Lifelong Learning Curriculum - a research-based program supporting school readiness, emotional development and early learning. See more >
Incursions - engaging in-centre experiences and visiting educators
Storypark - our secure family app for daily photos, updates and two-way communication. See more >
Mathseeds & Reading Eggs - included for preschool-aged children enrolled in our School Readiness Program. See more >

What Is the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?

The Child Care Subsidy is a government payment that helps reduce the cost of early learning for eligible families. Your subsidy percentage is based on:

Your family’s combined income
The type of childcare service your child attends
The number of hours you work, study or volunteer
Whether your child is up to date with immunisations

The CCS is paid directly to Aussie Kindies, which means it reduces your fees automatically, you only pay the gap. Use our Child Care Subsidy Calculator to estimate your out-of-pocket costs.

The 3 Day Guarantee

From January 2026, the Australian Government’s 3 Day Guarantee is now in effect. This means:

All CCS-eligible families receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, equivalent to three days per week
This applies regardless of how many hours you work, study or volunteer
Families caring for First Nations children are eligible for 100 hours per fortnight
Families already doing more than 48 hours of recognised activity per fortnight continue to be eligible for up to 100 hours per child

For many families, this means more subsidised hours than before. Contact your centre or speak with our Family Support Team on 1800 244 532 to understand how this affects your fees.

Why Quality Early Learning Is Worth It

Research by the Australian Institute of Family Studies shows that children who attend high-quality early education programs develop stronger cognitive and emotional skills, setting them up for a smoother, more confident transition to primary school.

At Aussie Kindies, we’re proud to make quality early learning accessible and affordable for Australian families.

Helpful next steps:

Child Care Subsidy Calculator | How to Enrol | What’s Included in Our Healthy Menu | Frequently Asked Questions