Childcare assistance available to more people

An income threshold is the limit on how much you can earn and how much assistance you can get.
The increases to income thresholds will:

• support more families to access childcare, and
• reflect wage growth.

The new income thresholds are based on average wage data.
The hourly rates are increasing due to the Annual General Adjustment. We make this change every year, to account for inflation.

Income thresholds and hourly rates from 1 April 2023

Number of children	Gross weekly income threshold from 1 April 2023	Childcare and OSCAR Subsidy rates (per hour, per child)
1	Less than $1,009	$6.10
	$1,009 to $1,836.99	$4.86
	$1,837 to $1,989.99	$3.40
	$1,990 to $2,143.99	$1.90
	$2,144 or more	$0
2	Less than $1,160	$6.10
	$1,160 to $2,112.99	$4.86
	$2,113 to $2,280.99	$3.40
	$2,281 to $2,449.99	$1.90
	$2,450 or more	$0
3 or more	Less than $1,299	$6.10
	$1,299 to $2,357.99	$4.86
	$2,358 to $2,556.99	$3.40
	$2,557 to $2,755.99	$1.90
	$2,756.00 or more	$0

You can see the maximum weekly rates, as well as other benefit rates on the Work and Income page:

Already getting Childcare or OSCAR Subsidy

If you’re already getting Childcare or OSCAR Subsidy, your payment amount may increase. The change will happen automatically, you don’t need to reapply or call us.

We’ll start paying the new subsidy rates to your childcare provider in the week starting Monday 10 April (this is because each payment is for the previous week). Check with them to be sure you’re paying the right amount.

You can check your new payment amount in MyMSD from Sunday 2 April 2023.

When you can apply

If your income is within the new income thresholds, you can apply from the start of April.

If your income is within the current thresholds, you can apply now.

You also need to meet the rest of the criteria.