What is approved Child Care?
Approved child care is child care that has been approved by the Australian
Government for Child Care Benefit purposes because it meets certain standards
and requirements.
In the case of long day care, family day care and outside-school hours care,
services must also meet quality assurance standards. Approved child care
services can receive Child Care Benefit of behalf of families. You can choose to
receive your Child Care Benefit payments as reduced child care fees or as a lump
sum.
What types of approved child care can I choose from?
You can choose from the following types of approved child care:
- long day care
- family day care
- outside school hours care (before and after school and vacation)
- occasional care
- in home care.
Can I get Child Care Benefit if I use approved child care?
Families who satisfy eligibility requirements for Child Care Benefit may
receive payments if they use approved care.
To be eligible for Child Care Benefit you need to meet three requirements:
- Eligibility
You or your partner (if you have one) meet
residency requirements (or have an exemption).
- Immunisation
Children under the age of 7 must meet the Australian Government's
immunisation requirements or have an exemption.
- Responsibility for child care payments
You or your partner (if you have one) must be the person responsible for paying
your child care costs. If your employer contributes to your child care through
salary sacrificing or packaging, you should discuss with them who is responsible
for the child care costs.
How many hours of approved care can I receive?
For approved care, all eligible families receive up to 24 hours per child,
per week of Child Care Benefit without meeting the work, training, study test.
For up to 50 hours per child, per week, you will need to meet the work, training
study test. This means you will need to be working, training, or studying for at
least 15 hours per week (or 30 hours per fortnight) or have an exemption from
this test.
The work, training, study test looks at whether you and your partner need
child care for a work-related commitment. A work-related commitment is one or
more of the following activities:
- paid work
- self-employment
- setting up a business
- looking for work, study or training
- voluntary work to improve your work skills.
To see if you are eligible for Child Care Benefit and, if so, how much you
are entitled to, visit the
Family Assistance Office website or call 13 61 50.
Can I get Child Care Rebate if I use approved care?
Yes. You may be able to get the Child Care Rebate if you have used approved
child care, been eligible for Child Care Benefit (entitled at a rate of zero or
more) and have met the Child Care Benefit work, training, study test for the
purpose of the rebate.
Where can I get more information?
To find out more about approved child care, please check the fact sheets
below or see the "Information for families using child care" fact sheet kit.