What does the 3 Day Guarantee mean for childcare centres?

By Centrely Editorial policy Last reviewed 19 July 2026 Report an error

On 5 January 2026, the Child Care Subsidy activity test was replaced by the 3 Day Guarantee. CCS-eligible families can receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, commonly described as three days per week. Some families can receive more depending on their circumstances. ^R15

The change affects subsidy eligibility; it does not create a guaranteed childcare place. Centres still need an available, suitable attendance pattern and must operate within staffing, ratio and service-approval requirements.

For operators, the practical tasks are:

Update family information

Remove outdated activity-test wording from websites, handbooks, fee explanations and enquiry templates. Use official language and include a review date.

Watch demand by pattern

The policy may change the days some families consider, but the effect will vary by community. Track enquiries and requests for additional days by room and weekday rather than assuming a uniform increase.

Explain the difference between subsidy hours and booked sessions

A family’s subsidised hours, the centre’s session lengths and the days available are separate issues. Avoid saying “everyone now gets three free days” or “three days are guaranteed”. Childcare is not free, and a place is not guaranteed.

Review waitlists and current-family requests

Ask existing families whether their preferred attendance has changed. Apply the service’s waitlist and priority processes consistently.

Keep estimates current

Any fee estimator should reflect the new minimum entitlement settings while retaining appropriate caveats. Services Australia remains responsible for individual assessments and balancing. ^R14

Last checked: 19 July 2026.

Practical next step: audit every public and staff-facing reference to the activity test and replace it with current, sourced wording.

Related guides

Next step

Let families model their actual sessions

Show how the 72-hour guarantee interacts with the centre’s session lengths and fees.

See the CCS calculator →

Sources

How income affects Child Care Subsidy; CCS balancing guidance — Services Australia
Early childhood—3 Day Guarantee — Australian Government Department of Education