What is Registered Child Care?
Registered child care is child care provided by grandparents or other
relatives, friends or nannies who are registered with the Family Assistance
Office as registered care providers.
Registered child care may also be provided by individuals in:
- pre-schools
- kindergartens
- outside school hours care services
- some occasional care centres.
Carers or teachers in these services must be registered with the Family
Assistance Office. All registered care providers must comply with any relevant
state or territory child care laws.
How does a carer become a registered care provider for Child Care Benefit
purposes?
To become a registered child care provider you need to:
- apply to the Family Assistance Office
- meet the minimum age requirement of 18 or have a recognised qualification
that otherwise determines eligibility for approval as a registered child
carer. This includes evidence of a recognised qualification as follows:
- nanny
- child care, or
- home-based help
- have a tax file number
- meet and maintain any relevant state or territory licensing requirements and
restrictions as a registered child carer
- meet any other requirements required by the Minister for Employment Participation and Child Care.
Are registered child care services approved child care?
No. Registered child care providers are not considered approved child care
services by the Australian Government because they choose not to, or do not,
meet the minimum operating hours, or participate in the Australian Government's
quality assurance systems.
Can I get Child Care Benefit if I use registered care?
Families who satisfy eligibility requirements for Child Care Benefit may
receive payments if they use registered child care.
To be eligible for Child Care Benefit for registered child care you need to
meet these 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 have paid your child care costs.
- Work, training, study test
You (and your partner, if you have one) must pass the Child Care Benefit work,
training, study test, or have an exemption. For registered child care, you only
have to participate in work related commitments at some time during a week or
have an exemption. No minimum number of hours is required.
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.
If you meet these requirements, you may be eligible for the registered care
rate of a maximum of 50 hours of Child Care Benefit per child, per week. Your
income does not affect the amount of Child Care Benefit you receive for
registered care.
How do I receive Child Care Benefit payments for registered care?
To receive the Child Care Benefit, take your child care receipts (given to
you by your registered carer) to the Family Assistance Office and complete the
Claim for Child Care Benefit for Registered Care form (FA018), which is
available on the Family Assistance Office website
forms page.
The Australian Government will pay your Child Care Benefit into your bank
account after you submit a claim. You must submit your claim within 12 months of
receiving child care. Your carer cannot receive Child Care Benefit on your
behalf.
Can I get the Child Care Rebate if I use registered care?
No. You must use approved child care and not registered child care to meet
the Child Care Rebate eligibility requirements.
Where can I get more information?
To find out more about registered child care, please check the fact sheets
below or see the "Information for families using child care" fact sheet kit.