childcare costs australia 2026 — how much does daycare cost by city?
milly is a childcare policy researcher and mum of two who has compared costs across every major Australian city.
childcare is one of the biggest expenses for Australian families — often rivalling the mortgage. costs vary significantly by city, care type, and how much Child Care Subsidy (CCS) you receive.
below is a city-by-city breakdown of average childcare costs in 2026, covering long day care, family day care, outside school hours care, nannies, and au pairs. tap any city for the full breakdown and a CCS example calculation.
choose your city
avg daily fee: $135/day · median: $130/day
avg daily fee: $125/day · median: $120/day
avg daily fee: $120/day · median: $115/day
avg daily fee: $115/day · median: $110/day
avg daily fee: $105/day · median: $100/day
avg daily fee: $120/day · median: $115/day
avg daily fee: $135/day · median: $130/day
avg daily fee: $105/day · median: $100/day
cost comparison — long day care by city
how the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) works
the Child Care Subsidy is a federal government payment that covers a percentage of your childcare fees. the percentage depends on your combined family income:
- •under $80K: up to 90% subsidy
- •$80K-$175K: 85% down to 50%
- •$175K-$530K: 50% down to 0%
tip: use our CCS calculator to estimate your out-of-pocket costs based on your family income and childcare fees.
related guides
costs are approximate 2026 averages based on Australian Government Child Care Subsidy data and ACECQA reports. actual fees vary by centre, location, and care type. CCS rates are subject to change — check the official CCS page for the latest. mini mode is not affiliated with any government department.