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Child care assistance
 

What is Child Care Rebate?

The Child Care Rebate is a payment from the Australian Government that helps working families with the cost of child care. This is a separate payment from Child Care Benefit.

If you are using approved child care for work, training or study related reasons, the government will provide you with 50 per cent of your out-of-pocket child care costs, up to the annual cap. From 1 July 2010, the Child Care Rebate annual cap will be $7500 per child per year, subject to the passage of legislation.

Am I eligible for the Child Care Rebate?

To get the Child Care Rebate you must have:

  • used approved child care; and
  • been eligible for Child Care Benefit (entitled at rate of zero or more)*; and
  • (and your partner) passed the Child Care Benefit work, training, study test (for the purposes of the Child Care Rebate).

*There is no income test for the Child Care Rebate. If you are eligible for Child Care Benefit but your Child Care Benefit entitlement is zero due to income, you are still eligible for the Child Care Rebate. 

When can I get paid?

The table below contains the Child Care Rebate quarterly payment timelines for the 2010-2011 financial year.

Child Care Rebate quarterly payments timeline for 2010-2011

Quarter Child Care Rebate Quarterly Periods
2010/2011		 Child Care Rebate Payment Periods
2010/2011
If you have not received your payment within a week of the end of the relevant payment period below you may need to contact the Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50
One 5 July 2010—3 October 2010 18 October 2010—29 October 2010
Two 4 October 2010—2 January 2011 17 January 2011—28 January 2011
Three 3 January 2011—3 April 2011 18 April 2011—29 April 2011
Four 4 April 2011—3 July 2011 25 July 2011 onwards
If tax returns have been lodged for the 2010-2011
financial year with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
and attendance information is received from the parent’s
Child Care Service Provider.

What if my child is absent from child care?

Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate can be paid in some situations if you are charged for child care when your child is absent.

You will get Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate for 42 absence days per child each financial year across all approved child care services except Occasional Care. These can be for any reason and will not require proof. Please talk to your child care provider regarding the absence policy detail.

You can also get Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate for additional absence days above this for specific reasons only. There is no limit on these days but you may be required to provide documentation to support the absence. Please talk to your child care provider regarding the additional absence policy detail and any supporting document requirements.

For Occasional Care, Child Care Benefit is paid for an absence if the child care has been booked and paid for at the Occasional Care service. There is no limit on the number of absences.

You can also access your child’s absence record along with your child care usage, Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate amounts paid on your View Child Care Attendance online statement available on the Family Assistance Office website, under Online Services/View child care details and payments, at www.familyassist.gov.au.

How can I get more information?

For information about Child Care Rebate and the amounts paid and absences please see the Information for families using child care fact sheet kit and look for:

  • Fact Sheet 10 - What is Child Care Rebate
  • Fact Sheet 7 - What is the Child Care Benefit work, training, study test?
  • Fact Sheet 9 - Absences from child care - Child Care Benefit (CCB)

For further information about the Child Care Rebate please visit the Family Assistance Office website or call 13 61 50.

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