First Nations children now eligible for 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight

Families caring for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child can now access up to 100 hours of Child Care Subsidy (CCS) per fortnight, following changes that took effect on 5 January 2026.

The change sits within the Federal Government’s “3 Day Guarantee”, which ensures all CCS-eligible families can receive at least 72 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight (three days per week).

For families with First Nations children, the Department of Education says the 100-hour entitlement applies regardless of the family’s hours of recognised participation (such as work or study).

Services Australia has also published guidance saying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can get 100 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight, and that families will still pay a gap fee based on their CCS percentage.

To access the 100 hours, families may need to tell Services Australia they have an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child in their care. The Department of Education notes this is voluntary, and updates can be made through myGov or the Express Plus Centrelink app.

In a joint media release announcing the start of the 3 Day Guarantee, Minister for Early Childhood Education Jess Walsh said: “Every child deserves access to quality early learning – no matter their postcode, or what their parents do for work.”