From 5 January 2026, families across Australia will benefit from an important change to childcare subsidies with the introduction of the Childcare 3-Day Guarantee. This new initiative is designed to make early learning more accessible, fairer and easier to navigate for families, giving children more opportunities to learn, play and thrive.

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What is the 3-Day Guarantee?

The 3-Day Guarantee ensures that all eligible families can access at least three days (72 hours) of subsidised early childhood education and care per fortnight, regardless of how many hours they work, study or volunteer.

This replaces the previous system, where Child Care Subsidy (CCS) entitlements were tied closely to activity levels, creating challenges for many families. The new approach provides greater flexibility and certainty.

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How does it work?

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From 5 January 2026:

• Guaranteed access: Families who are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) can receive a minimum of 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.

• No activity test: You no longer need to meet work, study or volunteering requirements to access these hours.

• Additional hours available: Families who do meet certain activity requirements may still be eligible for up to 100 hours per fortnight.

• First Nations families: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can access 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, regardless of family activity levels.

• Enrolment still required: The guarantee applies to the subsidy itself — families must still enrol their children at an early learning service.

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To understand what CCS percentage you may be eligible for, we recommend viewing the CCS income table and eligibility details on the Services Australia website.

For more information about CCS eligibility, visit:

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-much-child-care-subsidy-you-can-get?context=41186

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Why this is great news for families

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The 3-Day Guarantee offers meaningful benefits for both children and families, including:

• Peace of mind, knowing subsidised care is available even if work or study hours are limited.

• More time for learning and development, giving children additional opportunities to build confidence, skills and friendships.

• Greater consistency, with children attending more regularly and feeling more settled and secure in their environment.

• Stronger relationships, as children connect more deeply with educators and peers.

• Enhanced school readiness, supporting children’s social, emotional and learning development through regular attendance.

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How to take advantage of the 3-Day Guarantee

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At The Atlantis Group and Tall Tree Early Learning, we are committed to supporting families to understand and make the most of these changes.

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For currently enrolled families:

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If your family already receives CCS and uses less than 72 hours per fortnight, we encourage you to speak with your Centre Manager about your eligibility.

If you have CCS approved and your centre has capacity, no further application is needed - simply let your Centre Manager know your preferred additional days.

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For prospective families:

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If you are exploring enrolment at any of our services, our Family Engagement Partner is here to help.

📧 Email: enquiries@talltree.net.au

📞 Phone: 6156 7133

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You can also learn more about the initiative via the Australian Government Department of Education:

3 Day Guarantee – Department of Education, Australian Government

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