The 3 Day Guarantee — CCS changes explained
From 5 January 2026, the old Child Care Subsidy activity test was replaced by the 3 Day Guarantee. Every CCS-eligible Australian family now receives at least 72 subsidised childcare hours per fortnight — no work, study or activity required.
What changed and why
Before 5 January 2026, the amount of subsidised childcare a family could access each fortnight depended on how many hours of "recognised activity" — paid work, study, volunteering, and similar — each parent completed. Families with low activity could receive as few as 0 or 24 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
This created a practical trap: families often couldn't afford childcare without subsidised hours, but couldn't get subsidised hours without already being in paid work or study. The system disproportionately affected stay-at-home parents, casual workers, those between jobs, and families on parental leave.
The Australian Government's 3 Day Guarantee replaced this with a simple floor: every CCS-eligible family receives at least 72 subsidised hours (3 days) per fortnight, regardless of activity. The change was legislated to begin on 5 January 2026.
Old activity test vs the new rules
| Lower parent's activity hours / fn | Old rules (before 5 Jan 2026) | New rules (from 5 Jan 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 0–8 hours | 0 subsidised hours | 72 hours (3 Day Guarantee) |
| 8–16 hours | 36 subsidised hours | 72 hours (3 Day Guarantee) |
| 16–48 hours | 72 subsidised hours | 72 hours (unchanged) |
| 48+ hours (both parents) | 100 subsidised hours | 100 hours (unchanged) |
| ATSI children | 100 subsidised hours | 100 hours (unchanged) |
The 24-hour and 0-hour tiers that previously applied to very low activity have been eliminated entirely.
Who benefits most from the 3 Day Guarantee
The families who gained the most from this change are those who previously received 0, 24 or 36 subsidised hours:
- Stay-at-home parents — now receive 72 hours regardless of whether they work or study
- Casual and irregular workers — no longer penalised in low-activity weeks
- Job seekers — can access 3 days of subsidised care while looking for work
- Families on parental leave — receive the full 72-hour guarantee
- Families with a parent studying part-time — no longer capped at 36 hours
- Single parents — automatic 72-hour floor regardless of single-parent activity level
For families already receiving 72 or 100 hours, the change had no practical effect — their entitlement stayed the same.
How to get 100 subsidised hours per fortnight
The 3 Day Guarantee provides a floor of 72 hours, not a ceiling. Families can still access 100 hours per fortnight if any of the following apply:
- Both parents (or the single parent) each exceed 48 hours of recognised activity per fortnight
- A valid exemption is in place (e.g. illness, disability, family violence)
- The child is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander — 100 hours applies automatically (voluntary self-identification with Services Australia required)
- The family receives ACCS (Additional Child Care Subsidy) — all ACCS types attract 100 hours
What counts as recognised activity?
- Paid work — including casual, part-time, and self-employment
- Paid or unpaid leave from paid employment (annual leave, sick leave, parental leave)
- Approved study, training or apprenticeship
- Paid or unpaid volunteering with an approved organisation
- Actively looking for work
- Other circumstances approved by Services Australia
What did not change
- CCS percentage — still based on your combined family income. Income still determines how much of each hour the government pays for.
- Hourly rate caps — still apply. Fees above the cap remain your cost with no subsidy.
- CCS eligibility criteria — children must still be under 13, not in secondary school, and enrolled at an approved provider.
- Immunisation requirement — No Jab No Pay still applies. Unimmunised children (without a medical exemption) receive 0% CCS.
- Income limits — families earning $535,279 or above still receive 0% CCS.
- Withholding — the standard 5% withholding still applies to fortnightly CCS payments.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to do anything to get the 72-hour guarantee?
No action is required. If you were already receiving CCS, Services Australia automatically applied the new minimum hours from 5 January 2026. If you are not yet receiving CCS but are eligible, you need to make a claim — the guarantee applies from the moment your claim is approved.
My child currently attends 1 day per week. Can I now send them 3 days?
The 3 Day Guarantee means the subsidy is available for up to 72 hours (3 days) per fortnight, but you still need to arrange the extra days with your child care provider. Most providers expected increased demand after January 2026 — contact your centre directly to discuss availability. The subsidy will apply automatically to the additional days once your child is enrolled for them.
I am a single parent. Does the 3 Day Guarantee apply to me?
Yes. Single parents receive the same 72-hour minimum guarantee as partnered families. For the 100-hour tier, the single parent's own recognised activity hours are used — if you exceed 48 hours per fortnight of recognised activity, you qualify for 100 hours (not 48 hours combined with a partner).
Does the 3 Day Guarantee affect ACCS payments?
ACCS recipients were already entitled to 100 subsidised hours per fortnight for all ACCS types (Transition to Work, Temporary Financial Hardship, Grandparent, and Child Wellbeing). The 3 Day Guarantee did not change this — ACCS continues to provide 100 hours.