The Child Care Tax Rebate assists parents or guardians who are working, studying or training with their out of pocket child care costs.
The Child Care Tax Rebate is not income tested.
From 1 July 2008 the Australian Government increased the payment of the Child Care Tax Rebate from 30% to 50%.
The Child Care Tax Rebate will be paid quarterly directly to families, although families still have the option to receive their Child Care Tax Rebate payments as an annual lump sum payment.
Families can receive up to $7500 a year for each child in approved care.
Approved child care is care provided by a service provider that participates satisfactorily in the Australian Government funded quality assurance system and has been approved to receive Child Care Benefit payments on behalf of eligible families. Most long day care, family day care, before and after school care, vacation care, some occasional care and some in-home care are approved child care providers. Your child care service can tell you if they are an approved provider.
To find an approved child care service in your area, you can ring the Child Care Access Hotline on 1800 670 305 (TTY 1800 639 327) between 8am and 9pm AEST Monday to Friday.
Can I get the Child Care Tax Rebate?
If you answer yes to the following questions you may be able to receive the Child Care Tax Rebate:
- Do you have children?
- Are your children attending approved child care?
- Are you an Australian resident or the holder of a qualifying visa?
To get Child Care Benefit you or your partner must: be an Australian resident (a citizen or permanent visa holder who is residing in Australia), or hold a Special Category Visa, or hold a temporary visa (subclass 070, 309, 310, 447, 451, 695, 785, 786, 787, 820 or 826), or be an overseas student studying in Australia and receiving direct financial assistance from the Australian Government (eg. AusAID scholarships or International Post Graduate Research Scholarships), or in some circumstances, be a non-resident experiencing hardship.
- Are you liable to pay child care fees for your child?
- Do you work, are you training or do you study?
Child Care Benefit
The Child Care Benefit is a different payment to the Child Care Tax Rebate. The Child Care Benefit is based on your income and is different for everyone. To receive the Child Care Tax Rebate you must claim the Child Care Benefit.
What do you need to do?
Do you currently receive Child Care Benefit and the Child Care Tax Rebate?
YES - You do not need to do anything, quarterly payments of the Child Care Tax Rebate will be paid into your nominated back account by the Family Assistance Office.
NO – You need to claim for Child Care Benefit so that you can also receive your Child Care Tax Rebate.
How do you claim?
You can claim online through the Family Assistance Office.
For more information
If you would like further information on the Child Care Tax Rebate or the Child Care Benefit and to discuss your personal circumstances you can call the Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50 or visit your nearest Family Assistance Office.