3-Day Guarantee Program
The 3 Day Guarantee (Child Care Subsidy update)
Three days of subsidised early learning each week — now available to more families.
From 5 January 2026, the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) rules changed so CCS-eligible families can access at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight (often works out to around three days per week).
The 3 Day Guarantee is designed to help more children access consistent early learning—without families being restricted by the old activity test for the first 72 subsidised hours each fortnight.
Click the button if you want to learn more about this changes.
At Montessori Minds, we see how regular attendance supports:
- Stronger routines and confidence.
- Deeper friendships and belonging.
- Continuity of learning through our Montessori-informed program.
- Smoother transitions for children and families.
How the subsidy works (simple explanation)
- The guarantee provides up to 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight for each CCS-eligible child.
- You don’t have to attend exactly 3 days—it’s based on hours across the fortnight.
- Families may still be able to access up to 100 hours per fortnight in certain circumstances (for example, where a child belongs to Priority Cohort, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, or where higher recognised participation/exemptions apply).
- CCS reduces fees, but families usually still pay a gap fee (the difference between the service fee and the subsidy).
Affordability and access
The 3 Day Guarantee can make a real difference for families who previously received little or no Child Care Subsidy because of the activity test.
Example (indicative only):
A family with a household income of around $90,000, where one parent is working, may have paid roughly $433 per week for 3 days of early learning. Under the 3 Day Guarantee, that same family could pay closer to $62 per week, depending on their CCS entitlement and the service’s fees.
Our team can help you understand your CCS and estimate your new out-of-pocket cost.
(Figures are a guide only. Actual costs depend on your CCS rate, hours used across the fortnight, and Montessori Minds’ session fees.)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, the support under the 3 Day Guarantee can be higher — up to 100 hours of subsidised early learning per fortnight (subject to CCS eligibility and Services Australia rules).
At Montessori Minds, we are committed to creating a culturally safe, respectful and welcoming environment. We value strong relationships with families and aim to support children to feel a deep sense of identity, belonging and connection to community, culture and Country.
