Childcare Assistance changes

02 November 2022.

The Government has announced changes to Childcare Subsidy and OSCAR Subsidy from 1 April 2023.

What's changing

The income thresholds for Childcare Subsidy and OSCAR Subsidy are increasing. This means more people will be able to get these payments.

This change is to:

support more low and middle-income families to afford childcare, and
reflect wage growth from 2010 (as these thresholds did not change from 2010 to 2021).

The new income threshold amounts will be based on the average wage data.

Below is an estimate of the new income thresholds from 1 April 2023. These amounts will be confirmed once the average wage data is available.

Number of children	Gross weekly income threshold from 1 April 2023	Current Childcare Subsidy (per hour, per child)
1	Less than $987	$5.69
	$987 to $1,798	$4.53
	$1,799 to $1,948	$3.17
	$1,949 to $2,098	$1.77
2	Less than $1,135	$5.69
	$1,135 to $2,068	$4.53
	$2,069 to $2,233	$3.17
	$2,234 to $2,397	$1.77
3 or more	Less than $1,271	$5.69
	$1,271 to $2,307	$4.53
	$2,308 to $2,502	$3.17
	$2,503 to $2,697	$1.77

Please note - the Childcare and OSCAR Subsidy hourly rate will change from 1 April 2023 with the Annual General Adjustment.

If you already get Childcare or OSCAR Subsidy on 1 April 2023, your payment amount may increase.

If this happens, you don't need to do anything. The change will happen automatically and the payment will be updated with your childcare provider.

If you qualify from 1 April 2023 based on your income, you can apply from 1 April 2023. You will also need to meet the rest of the criteria.