Childcare Cost Calculator
Estimate the weekly gross cost of long day care in Australia before the Child Care Subsidy. Pair with the CCS calculator for your out-of-pocket.
The Child Care Subsidy is capped at an hourly rate, fees above the cap aren’t subsidised, so a pricier centre costs you more out of pocket per day.
💰 Ways to save
- Centres charging at or below the CCS hourly cap maximise your subsidy.
- Use the Child Care Subsidy calculator to turn this gross figure into your real out-of-pocket.
How we estimate this
Long day care in Australia typically costs $110–$160 per day in 2026 before subsidy, so a 3-day week runs $330–$480 gross. Inner-city centres charge more, regional centres less.
Pricing reviewed: June 2026.
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Put this calculator on your own website, branded to you, visitors get an instant estimate, you get a qualified enquiry with their details.
Understanding childcare costs in Australia
Long day care in Australia typically costs $110–$160 per day in 2026 before subsidy, so a 3-day week runs $330–$480 gross. Inner-city centres charge more, regional centres less.
Your actual cost is this gross figure minus your Child Care Subsidy. Because the subsidy is capped at an hourly rate, fees above the cap aren’t subsidised, so a premium centre increases your out-of-pocket more than the headline fee suggests.
Frequently asked questions
How much does childcare cost per week?
Roughly $110–$160 per day before subsidy in 2026, so $330–$480 for three days, less the Child Care Subsidy.
Why doesn’t the subsidy cover all my fees?
CCS is capped at an hourly rate; any fee above that cap isn’t subsidised, leaving a larger gap at premium centres.
Run a childcare centre? Add this childcare cost calculator to your own website →