types of childcare in australia: every option explained

long day care (LDC)

long day care is the most common form of childcare in australia, used by around 700,000 families. it operates from a purpose-built or converted centre, typically open from 7am to 6pm on weekdays, year-round (including school holidays).

centres cater for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years and are divided into age-based rooms — nursery, toddler, and preschool. each room has mandated educator-to-child ratios: 1:4 for children aged 0-2, 1:5 for ages 2-3, and 1:11 for ages 3-5. preschool rooms must have a qualified early childhood teacher.

typical cost: $110 to $170 per day, depending on location and age of child. metro sydney and melbourne centres often charge $150+/day.

CCS eligible: yes. the hourly rate cap for centre-based day care is $15.04/hour in 2025-26. this is the highest cap of any care type.

pros and cons

• structured educational program with qualified teachers
• larger peer groups for socialisation and school readiness
• regulated ratios and NQS-assessed
• higher cost than most other care types
• less flexibility on hours — late pickup fees apply
• more illness exposure, especially in the first year

family day care (FDC)

family day care is run by registered educators in their own homes. each educator works under an approved family day care scheme and is monitored through regular visits and compliance checks. they follow the Early Years Learning Framework, just in a home setting.

an educator can look after a maximum of 7 children at once (no more than 4 under school age), including their own children. the smaller group means more one-on-one attention, and the environment often feels more home-like.

family day care tends to offer more flexible hours than centres. many educators open from 6am (sometimes earlier) and close later, making it popular with shift workers and parents with long commutes.

typical cost: $90 to $130 per day.

CCS eligible: yes. the hourly rate cap is $12.74/hour in 2025-26 — lower than centre-based care.

pros and cons

• smaller groups and more individual attention
• flexible hours — suits shift workers and early starts
• generally cheaper than long day care
• home-like environment for younger children
• lower CCS hourly cap means less subsidy per hour
• no qualified teacher requirement
• if the educator is sick, you may have no backup

preschool / kindergarten

preschool (called kindergarten in victoria, tasmania, and WA) is a structured educational program for children in the year or two before school. all states and territories fund at least 15 hours per week of preschool for 4-year-olds, and most are expanding access to 3-year-olds under the national preschool reform agreement.

preschool can be standalone (run by a school, community group, or state government) or integrated into a long day care centre. standalone preschools typically run during school terms only, for 6 hours a day, 2-3 days per week. integrated preschool rooms within long day care centres operate year-round with longer hours.

typical cost:standalone government preschool is often free or low-cost ($0 to $50/week depending on state). integrated preschool within a long day care centre is charged at the centre's normal daily rate.

CCS eligible: standalone preschool — generally no (state-funded). integrated preschool within a long day care centre — yes, CCS applies to the full session.

pros and cons

• structured learning focused on school readiness
• delivered by qualified early childhood teachers
• standalone preschool is often free or very low cost
• limited hours — not a full-time care solution
• standalone programs run school terms only
• availability varies significantly by state

outside school hours care (OSHC)

OSHC covers before school care (typically 6:30am to 9am), after school care (3pm to 6pm), and vacation care(full days during school holidays). it's designed for primary school-aged children (roughly ages 5-12) and is usually run on-site at the school or by a nearby provider.

typical cost: before school care $15-$25 per session. after school care $25-$40 per session. vacation care $60-$90 per day.

CCS eligible: yes. the hourly rate cap for OSHC is $11.15/hour in 2025-26.

pros and cons

• convenient — usually at or near the school
• covers the gap between school and work hours
• vacation care available during school holidays
• CCS eligible, keeping out-of-pocket costs low
• limited spots — popular services fill quickly
• quality varies between providers

occasional care

occasional care is a casual, drop-in style of care for children who don't attend regular scheduled sessions. it's designed for parents who need short-term or irregular care — perhaps for medical appointments, study, or respite. sessions are usually a few hours at a time.

occasional care services are much less common than other types. they're often attached to community centres, neighbourhood houses, or some long day care centres.

typical cost: $10 to $15 per hour, or $40 to $70 per session.

CCS eligible: yes, but only if the service is an approved occasional care provider. there is also a limit on the number of subsidised hours — generally up to 36 hours per fortnight regardless of activity level. the hourly rate cap is $12.81/hour in 2025-26.

pros and cons

• flexible — no ongoing booking commitment
• useful for appointments, study, or respite
• CCS can apply if the service is approved
• limited availability — not many services exist
• capped subsidised hours regardless of activity test
• not suitable as a primary care arrangement

in home care (IHC)

in home care is a government-funded program where an educator comes to your hometo care for your children. it's not the same as hiring a private nanny — the educator is employed by an approved in home care provider and the arrangement is regulated under the National Quality Framework.

in home care has strict eligibility criteria. you generally need to meet at least one of these conditions:

• you work non-standard hours (shift work, weekends, overnight)
• you live in a rural or remote area with no nearby services
• your child has a disability or additional needs
• you have three or more children not yet in school

typical cost: $25 to $40 per hour (varies by provider). the cost is per family, not per child, which makes it more economical for families with multiple young children.

CCS eligible: yes. the hourly rate cap is $33.47/hour in 2025-26 — the highest cap of any care type, reflecting the higher per-hour cost.

pros and cons

• care happens in your own home — no drop-offs
• suits non-standard hours and remote locations
• CCS eligible with the highest hourly rate cap
• cost is per family, not per child
• strict eligibility — most families won't qualify
• limited approved providers across australia

nanny and au pair

private nanny

a private nanny is employed directly by the family to care for children in the family's home. unlike in home care, this is a private arrangement — there is no approved provider involved and no CCS eligibility.

as the employer, you're responsible for all employment obligations: paying at or above the award rate, superannuation (currently 11.5%), PAYG withholding, workers compensation insurance, and providing leave entitlements. most families use a nanny payroll service to manage compliance.

typical cost: $28 to $40 per hour (gross), plus super and on-costs. for a full-time nanny working 50 hours per week, total cost can be $85,000 to $120,000 per year. nanny shares (splitting a nanny between two families) can reduce this significantly.

au pair

an au pair is a young person (usually from overseas on a working holiday visa) who lives with the family and provides childcare in exchange for room, board, and a weekly stipend. it's considered a cultural exchange arrangement rather than formal employment, though the legal line can be blurry.

au pairs typically work 25-35 hours per week of childcare, plus light household duties. the weekly stipend is usually $200 to $350 on top of accommodation and meals.

CCS eligible: no. au pairs are not regulated childcare providers and the arrangement is not covered by the Child Care Subsidy.

nanny and au pair: pros and cons

• maximum flexibility on hours and routine
• one-on-one care in your own home
• no commute — especially valuable with multiple children
• au pairs offer cultural exchange and can be affordable
• no CCS for either option
• nannies are expensive — the most costly care type
• employer obligations (nanny) or visa complexities (au pair)
• no regulatory oversight or NQS assessment

comparison table

here's a side-by-side overview of every childcare type in australia. costs are indicative and vary by location.

which type is right for you?

the best childcare type depends on your child's age, your work pattern, your budget, and what's available in your area. here are some common scenarios:

• infant under 1, standard work hours: long day care or family day care. both are CCS eligible. family day care offers a smaller, quieter environment that some babies prefer.
• toddler, budget-conscious: family day care is usually the cheapest CCS-eligible option per day. explore our family day care vs centre-based guide for a detailed cost comparison.
• 3-4 year old, school readiness focus: a long day care centre with an integrated preschool program, or standalone preschool combined with another care type to cover working hours.
• school-age child: OSHC for before/after school, plus vacation care during holidays. check if your school runs its own program or uses an external provider.
• shift worker or irregular hours: family day care for flexibility, or in home care if you meet the eligibility criteria.
• multiple children under 5: in home care (if eligible) can be cost-effective since the fee is per family, not per child. a nanny share with another family is another option.
• occasional or irregular need: occasional care for casual sessions, or a private nanny/babysitter for ad-hoc bookings.

many families combine care types — for example, two days of long day care, one day of family day care, and grandparent care for the remaining days. the CCS applies separately to each approved service.

frequently asked questions