{"id":6550,"date":"2026-09-10T11:02:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T01:02:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/montessoriminds.vic.edu.au\/hoppers-crossing\/3-day-guarantee-program\/"},"modified":"2026-09-10T13:40:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T03:40:04","slug":"3-day-guarantee-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/montessoriminds.vic.edu.au\/hoppers-crossing\/3-day-guarantee-program\/","title":{"rendered":"3-Day Guarantee Program"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Child Care Subsidy<\/div>

3-Day Guarantee Program<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
More families can now access subsidised early learning \u2014 at least three days a week \u2014 without being restricted by the old activity test.<\/div>
\u25cf<\/span> In effect from 5 January 2026<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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What changed<\/div>

The Child Care Subsidy update, explained simply<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
From 5 January 2026, the Australian Government updated CCS rules so that eligible families can access a guaranteed minimum of subsidised care each fortnight \u2014 without needing to meet an activity test for those hours. This is often described as a \"3 Day Guarantee\" because 72 hours per fortnight roughly equates to three full days each week.<\/div>
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72<\/p><\/div><\/div>

hours of subsidised care per fortnight<\/div>
Guaranteed for every CCS-eligible child, regardless of the activity test<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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0 hrs<\/div><\/div>
72 hrs guaranteed<\/span><\/div><\/div>
100 hrs (with exemptions)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Hours, not days<\/div>
The 72-hour entitlement is measured across a fortnight, not per week. You don't need to attend exactly three days \u2014 hours are used flexibly.<\/div><\/div>
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Activity test removed<\/div>
The first 72 subsidised hours per fortnight are no longer gated by the activity test, making access easier for more families.<\/div><\/div>
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CCS still applies<\/div>
You must still be eligible for CCS and registered with Services Australia. The subsidy reduces \u2014 but usually doesn't eliminate \u2014 your gap fee.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Indicative cost example<\/div>

What might this mean<\/em> for your fees?<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
The example below is illustrative only. Your actual out-of-pocket cost depends on your household income, your CCS rate, hours used across the fortnight, and Montessori Minds' current session fees.<\/div>
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Example family \u2014 indicative only<\/div>
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Not a quote or guarantee<\/div>
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Household income (approx.)<\/div>
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~$90,000<\/div>
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Days of early learning<\/div>
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3 days per week<\/div>
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Estimated weekly cost (before CCS)<\/div>
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~$433\/week<\/del><\/div>
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Estimated weekly cost (with 3 Day Guarantee)<\/div>
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~$62\/week<\/div>
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Potential weekly saving<\/div><\/div>
up to ~$371<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Why regular attendance matters<\/div>

How consistent attendance supports<\/em> your child<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
At Montessori Minds, we see real differences in children who attend consistently. Our Montessori-informed program is designed around continuity \u2014 and three or more days each week allows children to settle, build relationships, and engage deeply with their learning environment.<\/div>
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