From 5 January 2026, a major and welcome change is coming to the way families access subsidised childcare in Australia. It’s called the 3‑Day Guarantee, and for many families, it could mean more support, less paperwork, and greater flexibility.
At
Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure, we know that choosing the right care for your child is one of the biggest decisions a family can make. That’s why we’re here to help you understand exactly what this change means and how to make the most of it for your family.
What is the 3-day guarantee?
The 3‑Day Guarantee is a change to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). It ensures that all eligible families will receive a minimum of 72 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight which works out to roughly three full days a week.
The best part? These 72 hours will be available to families regardless of how many hours they work, study or volunteer. Previously, if you didn’t meet certain activity levels, your CCS hours were limited, sometimes significantly.
This change aims to make early learning more accessible, especially for:
- Families with irregular or unpredictable work schedules
- Stay-at-home parents looking to re-enter the workforce
- Parents studying part-time
- Families in transition
- First Nations children, who will now automatically receive 100 subsidised hours per fortnight
Why the change matters
For many parents, especially those with part-time or variable work, the old CCS activity test made it hard to qualify for enough subsidised care. That often meant difficult choices, restricted care days, or missing out on early learning opportunities altogether.
By guaranteeing a baseline of 72 subsidised hours, the new system helps:
- Reduce stress around proving activity levels
- Make care more consistent and predictable
- Support more children to access high-quality early learning
- Empower families to plan ahead with greater confidence.
It’s a reform that puts children — and their future — first.
What stays the same?
While the 3‑Day Guarantee offers more access, a few key things remain unchanged:
- CCS eligibility still applies: You’ll still need to meet standard income and residency requirements to qualify.
- You still need to enrol with a centre: Subsidy availability doesn’t guarantee a place; spots depend on demand and capacity.
- Out-of-pocket costs (gap fees) may still apply: The subsidy helps reduce costs, but some fees will remain.
- Higher entitlements stay in place: If you already qualify for more than 72 hours (such as 100 hours), you won’t lose any existing benefits.
Real examples: what this may look like
Scenario 1: A stay-at-home parent returning to work
Before: Limited to 24 subsidised hours per fortnight, making childcare unaffordable.
After: Automatically receives 72 subsidised hours — enough for three full days per week.
Scenario 2: A family with a casual work schedule
Before: Subsidised hours change depending on how many shifts are worked.
After: Guaranteed minimum of 72 hours regardless of week-to-week changes.
Scenario 3: A First Nations child
Before: Activity test may reduce subsidy hours.
After: Automatically entitled to 100 subsidised hours per fortnight — the full amount.
What you can do now
While the change doesn’t take effect until 5 January 2026, now is the perfect time to plan ahead:
- Check your CCS status
Log into your
Centrelink account or speak to us — we can help you check your eligibility. - Review your childcare needs
Could more subsidised hours help you work, study, or simply have breathing room? Consider whether to increase your child’s days. - Secure your preferred days early
Demand may increase once the change comes into effect. If you’re thinking of adding more days, talk to us soon to express interest. - Ask us anything
Every family is different. We’re more than happy to walk through what this change means for your situation.
Our commitment to you
At
Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure, we believe that all children deserve access to quality early education. We also believe families deserve support, clarity, and flexibility. That’s why we welcome this change — and why we’ll be here to guide you every step of the way.
Whether you’re a current family or just beginning your early learning journey, we’re ready to help you plan with confidence.
Have any questions?
Pop into a Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure in a location near you,
book a tour, or get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to support you.
Author: Lauren Hall
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