daycare near me — how to find local childcare centres in Australia
last updated: april 2026
Josh Moretti is a freelance writer and father of two from Sydney. he covers family life, co-parenting, and navigating the childcare system for mini mode.
searching for "daycare near me" is one of the first things most Australian parents do when returning to work. but finding a centre that suits your family — the right location, quality rating, hours, and price — takes more than a quick Google search.
this guide explains how daycare works in Australia, what types of care are available, and how to compare centres in your area using mini mode's childcare search.
daycare vs childcare — they're the same thing
in Australia, "daycare" and "childcare" mean the same thing. there's no legal or practical difference. the government uses the term "long day care" to describe centre-based care for children aged 0 to 5, but most parents just say daycare.
you might also see "day care centres," "early learning centres," or "child care centres" — these all refer to approved services regulated under the National Quality Framework. the naming varies by brand, but the regulations, quality ratings, and subsidy rules are identical.
so if you're searching for "daycare near me" or "childcare near me," you're looking for the same thing. we use both terms on mini mode because parents search for both.
types of daycare available in Australia
not all daycare is the same. the three main types of approved care that attract the Child Care Subsidy are:
- long day care— centre-based care, typically open 7am to 6pm weekdays. this is what most people mean when they say "daycare." centres are run by private operators, community organisations, or local councils.
- family day care— care provided in an educator's home, usually with smaller groups (up to 4 children). it can be more flexible on hours and is often more affordable than centre-based care.
- occasional care — short sessions without a regular booking, ideal for parents who need a few hours here and there. not available everywhere.
for a full breakdown of each type, including in-home care and outside school hours care, see our guide on types of childcare in Australia.
how to search for daycare by suburb
mini mode lets you search for approved childcare centres by suburb or postcode. here's how to find daycare near you:
- go to the childcare search page
- type your suburb name or postcode into the search bar
- browse centres sorted by distance, quality rating, or mini mode score
- click any centre to see its full profile — including fees, National Quality Standard rating, vacancies, and parent reviews
every centre listed on mini mode is an approved service registered with the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). we pull data directly from official sources so you're always seeing current ratings and approval status.
what the mini mode score tells you
every centre on mini mode gets a mini mode score — a single number that combines official quality ratings, fee data, location convenience, and other factors into one easy comparison point.
the score isn't a replacement for visiting a centre or reading the NQS assessment. it's a starting point that helps you quickly narrow down which centres are worth looking at more closely.
to understand exactly how the score works and what goes into it, read our mini mode score explained guide.
what daycare costs and the Child Care Subsidy
daycare fees in Australia average $130 to $145 per day for centre-based care, though this varies a lot by city and suburb. Sydney is the most expensive at around $155/day on average, while regional areas can be closer to $100/day.
most families don't pay the full fee. the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) covers between 50% and 90% of the daily fee depending on your household income. a family earning $120,000 per year with an 80% subsidy rate at a $140/day centre would pay around $28 per day out of pocket.
for a full breakdown of fees by state and care type, see our childcare costs 2026 guide. to estimate your own out-of-pocket costs, try the child care subsidy calculator.
find daycare by state
jump straight to childcare centres in your state:
frequently asked questions
how do I find daycare near me in Australia?
the easiest way is to search by suburb using mini mode's childcare search. enter your suburb or postcode and you'll see all approved centres nearby, including quality ratings, fee estimates, and vacancy info. you can also check the government's Starting Blocks website for official quality ratings.
is daycare the same as childcare in Australia?
yes. daycare and childcare mean the same thing in Australia. the official government term is "long day care" for centre-based care for children aged 0 to 5. all approved centres are regulated under the same National Quality Framework regardless of what you call them.
how much does daycare cost after the Child Care Subsidy?
out-of-pocket costs depend on your family income and centre fees. most families receive between 50% and 90% of fees covered by CCS. for a centre charging $140/day, a family on 80% CCS would pay around $28/day. families earning under $85,279 can receive up to 90% subsidy. use our subsidy calculator to estimate your costs.
next steps
ready to find daycare near you? start with a suburb search or estimate what you'll actually pay after the subsidy.