What is the average cost of childcare in Australia in 2025-26?

Average daily childcare fees in Australia for long day care (centre-based) range from approximately $90 to $150 per day depending on the state and suburb, with major cities generally higher. After Child Care Subsidy, families at the median income level typically pay between $30 and $80 per day out of pocket.

What is the CCS hourly cap for centre-based day care in 2025-26?

The CCS hourly cap for centre-based day care (CBDC) in 2025-26 is $14.63 per hour for children under school age. If a centre charges more than $14.63/hour, the subsidy is calculated on the cap and the family pays the full gap.

How much does childcare cost after CCS for a family earning $100,000?

At $100,000 combined ATI in 2025-26, the CCS rate is approximately 87%. For a centre charging $140/day (equating to $17.50/hr), CCS applies to the $14.63 cap at 87% = $12.73/hr subsidy. Out-of-pocket cost per day = $140 - (12.73 × 8 hrs) = approximately $38.20/day.

Which type of childcare is cheapest in Australia?

Family day care (FDC) typically has lower fees than centre-based long day care, and also has a lower CCS hourly cap ($13.56 vs $14.63 for CBDC). After CCS, the net cost difference depends on the specific provider fees. Preschool/kindergarten programs (often at lower fees) may also be cheaper but operate on school-term hours.

Average Childcare Cost in Australia

4 min read Updated 15 February 2026

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If you're trying to understand whether your childcare fees are typical, the starting point is knowing the national averages.

Childcare costs vary by service type and state, but official quarterly data provides a clear benchmark.

This guide explains:

The average childcare cost per hour in Australia
Typical daily and weekly costs
How costs differ by state
How the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) affects what you actually pay

All benchmark figures are based on quarterly reporting from the Department of Education.

What Is the Average Childcare Cost Per Hour in Australia?

Current national average hourly fees are approximately:

Care Type	Average Hourly Fee	Approx 10-Hour Day	Approx 5-Day Week
Centre-Based Day Care	~$13.90	~$139	~$695
Family Day Care	~$13.40	~$134	~$670
Outside School Hours Care (OSHC)	~$9.20	Session-based	Varies

These are averages across approved providers nationwide.

Individual centres may charge more or less depending on location and operating costs.

What Is the Average Childcare Cost Per Day?

For centre-based long day care:

10-hour day: around $139
12-hour day: around $167

For OSHC:

3-hour after-school session: around $27 to $30

These figures are before CCS is applied.

How Much Does Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Cover?

CCS is administered nationally by Services Australia.

Your CCS percentage depends on:

Combined family income
Activity hours (work, study, volunteering)
Number of children in care

For many families, CCS covers 60% to 85% of eligible fees.

However, CCS pays a percentage of the lower of:

The service's hourly fee, or
The government hourly rate cap

If your centre charges above the hourly cap, you pay the full amount above that cap.

This is why higher-than-average fees can increase out-of-pocket costs even when your CCS rate is unchanged.

Why Do Childcare Costs Differ Between States?

Childcare fees are not uniform across Australia.

The difference between higher-cost and lower-cost states for centre-based care is typically 8 to 15%.

That may translate to:

Around $1 per hour difference
Around $10 per day
Around $50 per week
Around $2,500 per year

Importantly, CCS rules do not change by state. The variation comes from provider pricing, not subsidy settings.

Why Do Individual Centres Charge Different Prices?

Fees vary for several structural reasons:

Location

Centres in high-rent inner-city areas face higher property and staffing costs.

Staffing Ratios and Qualifications

Staff wages are the largest cost component of early childhood education. Centres operating above minimum ratios or employing higher-qualified staff may charge more.

Facilities and Fit-Out

Newer buildings, outdoor space, and modern learning environments increase capital and operating costs.

Inclusions

Some services include meals, nappies, excursions or specialist programs in their daily fee.

Ownership Model

Not-for-profit, community-based and large national providers may have different cost structures.

A higher fee does not automatically indicate lower value. It reflects operating context.

How To Tell If Your Childcare Fee Is Above Average

A practical benchmark approach:

Within +/-10% of the national average → broadly typical
10% to 20% above → moderately above average
20%+ above → meaningfully above average

State-level averages provide a more location-specific reference point.

Benchmarks are based on quarterly fee data reported by approved providers to the Department of Education.

Key Takeaways

The average childcare cost in Australia is around $13 to $14 per hour for long day care.
State differences can shift fees by 8 to 15%.
CCS is national and percentage-based.
Higher fees increase out-of-pocket costs once the hourly cap is reached.
Comparing your hourly rate to national or state averages provides useful context.

Wondering whether adding another day is worth it? See our guide on is it worth working a 4th day. You can also compare costs across service types in our FDC vs CBDC guide, or run a CCS estimate with your actual fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average childcare cost per day in Australia?

For centre-based long day care, a typical 10-hour day averages around $139 before CCS.

Does CCS pay different amounts in different states?

No. CCS rules are national. Fee differences between states reflect provider pricing, not different subsidy rates.

Why does my childcare cost more than the national average?

Costs may be influenced by location, staffing ratios, inclusions, and facility standards. Use our to see how your fees compare to the national average.