📊 Compare
Childcare Options in Australia Compared
Long day care, family day care, in-home care, preschool, and occasional care — what each costs, who it suits, and how the Child Care Subsidy applies.
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Long Day Care
6 weeks – school age · Typically 7am–6pm, 5 days/week
$130–$180/dayCCS eligible
Pros
- +Qualified early childhood educators
- +Structured curriculum
- +Socialisation with peers
- +Consistent availability
Cons
- −Most expensive option
- −Can be impersonal at larger centres
- −Long waitlists for infants
- −Sickness policies mean frequent absences
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Family Day Care
6 weeks – school age · Flexible — negotiated with educator
$110–$150/dayCCS eligible
Pros
- +Home environment
- +Smaller group (max 4 children)
- +Flexible hours
- +Often more affordable
Cons
- −Educator may be sick or unavailable
- −Less structured than centre-based care
- −Quality varies significantly
- −Limited curriculum resources
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In-Home Care
Any age · Fully flexible
$35–$55/hrCCS eligible
Pros
- +Fully flexible schedule
- +Child cared for at home
- +Good for shift workers
- +Can cover multiple children
Cons
- −Expensive without subsidy
- −Lower CCS rate cap
- −Finding reliable carers is hard
- −Admin-heavy (coordinating subsidy, tax)
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Preschool / Kindergarten
3–5 years · Part-day or sessional, ~15 hrs/week
$0–$80/sessionCCS eligible
Pros
- +Often subsidised or low-cost
- +School-readiness focus
- +Strong state government support
- +Qualified early childhood teachers
Cons
- −Limited hours (not full-day care)
- −Usually term-based
- −Only available from age 3–4
- −May not solve full-time care needs
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Occasional Care
0 – school age · As needed / booked in advance
$25–$60/sessionCCS eligible
Pros
- +No ongoing commitment
- +Good for part-time needs
- +CCS eligible
- +Flexible
Cons
- −Limited availability
- −Not suitable for regular full-time care
- −Can be hard to book at short notice
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How the CCS Works
Subsidy rates, activity test, and income thresholds →
Return to Work Calculator
See your net childcare cost after CCS →
Frequently asked questions
Which childcare option gets the most CCS?
All approved childcare services are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Long day care, family day care, in-home care, and occasional care are all approved types. The subsidy rate depends on your family income and activity hours — not the type of care. In-home care attracts a lower hourly rate cap than centre-based care, so the dollar subsidy may be lower even at the same percentage rate.
What's the difference between preschool and long day care?
Preschool (kindergarten) is typically a government-run or community program for 3–5 year olds, often 15 hours/week, and is subsidised or free in many states. Long day care is a private or community-run childcare centre open 7am–6pm offering full-day care from 6 weeks to school age. Many long day care centres offer a preschool program (Early Childhood program) in the year before school, which may attract additional state government subsidy.
How far in advance should I get on childcare waitlists?
For infant and toddler places (0–2 years) in most Australian capital cities, 12–24 months in advance is realistic for popular centres. For 3–5 year olds, 6–12 months is typical. Register at multiple centres and keep your details updated — centres contact you in order of registration date. HiMama and KindyNow also list availability in real time for some areas.
Is family day care cheaper than long day care?
Generally yes — family day care typically costs $110–$150/day vs $130–$180/day for long day care. However, the CCS hourly rate cap for family day care is lower than for centre-based care, so the gap narrows after subsidy. The right choice depends on your child's age, your preferred setting (home environment vs centre), and what's available in your area.