Question 1

What is the CCS activity test?

Accepted Answer

The activity test determines how many hours of subsidised childcare your family is entitled to per fortnight. It's based on the activity level of the LOWER-activity parent in a couple (or the sole parent in a single-parent household). Activity includes paid work, self-employment, study, training, volunteering, job-seeking, unpaid work experience, and caring for someone with a disability.

Question 2

How many hours of CCS do I get?

Accepted Answer

CCS tiers: 0-7 hours activity = 30 hours subsidised care (3 Day Guarantee, income under $533,280). 8-16 hours activity = 36 hours CCS. 17-48 hours activity = 72 hours. 49+ hours activity = 100 hours. The 3 Day Guarantee is the baseline from January 2026 — it replaces the old zero entitlement for low-activity families.

Question 3

What is the 3 Day Guarantee?

Accepted Answer

The 3 Day Guarantee is a Labor government reform from January 2026. Every family earning under $533,280 is guaranteed 30 hours of subsidised care per fortnight (3 days) regardless of activity level. If your activity-based tier is higher, you get the higher amount; if it's lower, you get the 30-hour minimum.

Question 4

Does my partner's activity level affect my CCS hours?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in a couple the LOWER of the two parents' activity levels sets the family's CCS tier. If you work 40 hours/fortnight but your partner works 15, the family's tier is based on 15 hours — 36 CCS hours. The logic is that both parents need child-free time to do the activity.

Question 5

What if I do mixed activities?

Accepted Answer

Add them together. For example, 20 hours paid work + 10 hours study + 5 hours volunteering = 35 hours per fortnight = 72-hour tier. Some activities have caps (voluntary work is capped at 48 hrs/fortnight for this purpose). Always record activity hours accurately — Services Australia can audit.

CCS activity test hours calculator — how many subsidised childcare hours? (Australia 2026)

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