Looking after a young child can be unbelievably challenging, not to mention inordinately expensive, especially for young parents or those going to school or struggling to make ends meet. Regardless of the reason, raising a child is financially taxing and can often put a tremendous amount of stress on parents.
To save parents going through a financial crunch, many first-world countries began child care subsidy programs to cover some of the cost of childcare.
Child Care Subsidy in Australia
In Australia, the Department of Education and Training has published the guidelines regarding the child care subsidy program to help parents figure out how they can avail its benefits. Based on said standards released by the Australian government, many childcare support organizations in Down Under offer a child care subsidy calculator or CCS calculator to compute the funds a couple will get.
If you are in school or you and your partner have to work nonstop to provide for the family, you should apply for the childcare subsidy package to help you manage the costs of external childcare. To find out how much financial assistance you will get for your little one, use our childcare subsidy calculator, aka CCS calculator. But before you do that, go through the following facts about the assistance program, so you know if you’ll be eligible or not.
Eligibility Criterion
Like most government aids, childcare subsidy has a pre-set criterion that a couple needs to meet in order to apply for funds. Parents who match the following requirements can get financial aid for looking after a child.
- Their kid is 13 years old or younger.
- They look after their child for at least two nights over a period of two weeks. In other words, provide 14% of care.
- They have to pay for the childcare services at an approved center out of their pocket.
- They are living in Australia and have any of the following
- Citizenship
- PR
- A special visa
- A temporary visa, such as one given to partners whose spouses are living in Australia
- Their child meets all immunization requirements.
Support for Kids Older Than 13 Years of Age
If someone’s kid is older than 13 years old and they need financial aid, they might qualify as an exception if deemed justified by the state. Typically, if an older child cannot look after themselves because of a disability or any other reason, and need to get special child care services, then they are granted childcare subsidies.
Maximum Amount
How much a couple gets as CCS depends on these factors
- Their monthly income
- The per-hour rate of the services they get for the child
- The number of hours they work
Keeping the State in the Loop
If you receive a childcare subsidy from the state, you are legally bound to inform it of any and all changes in your living circumstances, such as a change in income, relationship status, number of working hours etc. In short, the government should be privy to any aspect of your life that may affect the amount you get as CCS.
Providers Get the Payment
Since the money paid in childcare subsidy is forbearing child care expenses, it goes directly to the provider. The approved center or service you use for your child’s care will get the share of their fee from the government (as CCS) directly without your involvement.
All you need to do is apply for the assistance program and fill out the necessary details. If you qualify for getting the money, your childcare service provider will get it. But of course, you will be notified about the development.
Additional Childcare Subsidy
Some families can get extra support on top of the standard childcare subsidy if they
- Are going through a severe financial crisis
- Have grandparents to look for as well
- Are getting back into the workforce and were receiving unemployment benefits before.
Parting Thoughts
Don’t compromise on your child’s wellbeing and get the assistance you need to raise them with the childcare subsidy benefit.
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