From 5 January 2026, the Australian Government will introduce the 3-Day Guarantee, a significant new Child Care Subsidy (CCS) reform that makes early education and care more affordable for families.
At Story House Early Learning, we’re proud to support this policy and help families unlock the full benefits of high-quality, subsidised care in our nurturing environments.
What Is the 3-Day Guarantee?
Under this reform, all CCS-eligible families will be able to access:
Up to 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight (equivalent to 3 days per week) for each child, with no Activity Test required.
This means that even families who don’t meet the standard Activity Test, through work, study, training, or volunteering, can still receive subsidised care.
For families who do meet the Activity Test (48+ hours per fortnight) or hold an exemption, the existing 100 hours of subsidised care per child, per fortnight will remain in place.
Families of First Nations children will continue to receive 100 hours of subsidised care per child, per fortnight, regardless of activity level.
Why This Matters
The Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education, said:
“This is all about giving our kids the best start in life. It’s about opening the doors of opportunity.”
Dr Anne Aly, Minister for Early Childhood Education, shared:
“Investing in the early years is an investment in Australia’s future—there is no better investment than giving our littlest Australians the best possible start in life.”
These changes are part of the Australian Government’s vision to create a universal early childhood education and care system – and Story House is proud to deliver on that vision through trusted, high-quality learning.
We’re Here to Help You Navigate the Changes
Your CCS entitlement will still depend on your family’s unique circumstances, including:
- Your combined family income
- The hourly rate cap
- The number and age of children in care
But don’t worry, we’re here to help.
Got questions about how these changes apply to your family?
Live Chat with our Family Experience Partners (bottom right corner of your screen). We’ll walk you through your individual eligibility and provide a personalised out-of-pocket estimate based on your circumstances.
These changes are part of the Australian Government’s plan to make early learning more accessible for all families.
Read the official announcement here: https://www.education.gov.au/newsroom/articles/3day-guarantee-legislation-passed
