Big News for Queensland Families
The 3 Day Guarantee Is Here
Your Child Now Gets 3 Subsidised Days of Care Per Week
From 5 January 2026, the Australian Government guarantees every CCS-eligible family at least 3 days of subsidised early childhood education
No activity test required.
Let Us Explain
What Is the 3 Day Guarantee?
The 3 Day Guarantee is a landmark Australian Government reform that came into effect on 5 January 2026. It replaces the old Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Activity Test — which previously required parents to prove they were working, studying or volunteering to access subsidised care.
Under the new rules, every CCS-eligible family automatically receives:
- 72 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight (equal to 3 days per week)
- No work or study hours required to qualify for this minimum
- Up to 100 hours per fortnight if you work or study more than 48 hours per fortnight
- Up to 100 hours per fortnight automatically for First Nations children.
A key change to note,
The activity test has been abolished.
Previously, stay-at-home parents, casual workers, and families with irregular hours often received little or no subsidy. That barrier is now gone.
Supporting Families
Are You Eligible?
From 5 January 2026, more families can access subsidised early education through the 3 Day Guarantee.
You may be eligible if:
Your combined family income is under $533,280 per year
You meet standard Child Care Subsidy (CCS) residency and child age requirements
Your child attends an approved CCS childcare provider, like Perfect Start Early Education
What’s changed?
You no longer need to be working, studying, or volunteering to access the guaranteed 3 days of subsidised care.
Are you already receiving CCS?
No action is required. The 3 Day Guarantee will be automatically applied, and your subsidised hours will increase if you were previously receiving fewer than 72 hours per fortnight.
If you are new to CCS…
You can apply easily through your myGov account via Services Australia before enrolling.
Connect with us today to learn more about your CCS.
Our Centres
Perfect Start Early Education is a proud CCS-approved provider, meaning your 3 Day Guarantee subsidy is applied directly to your fees across all of our centres, making high-quality early education more accessible and affordable for your family.
Book your and take the first step towards giving your child the perfect start in early education.
FAQ’s
Most Commonly Asked
Do I need to be working to get the 3 Day Guarantee?
No. This is the biggest change from the old rules. From 5 January 2026, all CCS-eligible families receive a minimum of 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight — regardless of whether you are working, studying or at home.
Is Perfect Start an approved CCS provider?
All our centres are fully approved CCS providers. Your 3 Day Guarantee subsidy is automatically applied to your fees, You don’t need to do anything extra once you’re enrolled.
How does the wait list work, and when can I expect an offer for my child’s place?
Perfect Start’s waiting list considers each child’s age group, preferred days, and attendance schedule.
When spaces become available, we will contact families as soon as possible to inform them about current vacancies and enrolment options.
Once notified, families have a few days to accept the offered position.
For January/February starts, offers may be made as early as September of the previous year, after reviewing graduates and classroom transitions within our existing community.
Can I get more than 3 days subsidised?
Yes. If you or your partner each complete more than 48 hours of recognised activities (work, study, volunteering) per fortnight, you may be eligible for up to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, that’s 5 days per week.
Families with First Nations children in their care also automatically receive 100 hours per fortnight.
What is the gap fee?
The gap fee is the difference between the government subsidy amount and Perfect Start’s daily fee rate.
You will still pay this gap fee, the 3 Day Guarantee reduces but does not fully eliminate your out-of-pocket costs (unless you also receive the Additional Child Care Subsidy).
Our team can give you a personalised fee estimate at your tour.
What if I'm already enrolled at Perfect Start?
If you are already receiving CCS at Perfect Start, your entitlement will automatically increase from 5 January 2026, you don’t need to do anything.
If you’d like to add extra days to your enrolment, contact your centre director to check availability.
Do I need to apply separately for the 3 Day Guarantee?
No separate application is needed. It is automatically applied to all current CCS recipients. New families will need to apply for CCS through Services Australia (myGov) before their child starts care.
Choose Your Perfect Start Centre
Each of our centres offers the same high standard of care, tailored to the unique needs of our local communities.
Our Approach to Early Education
Why Choose Us
A Dedicated Team of Educators
Our dedicated team takes immense pride in nurturing every aspect of a child’s development, bringing a sense of joy and purpose to each of our thoughtfully crafted, engaging programs.
Quality Education And Care
At Perfect Start, we believe in providing the highest quality of care through a holistic approach to early education. Our philosophy focuses on nurturing each child’s cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and linguistic development. With child-led learning at our core, we support every child’s journey to grow and thrive.
School Readiness Program
Our Kindergarten program focuses on school readiness, fostering independence, resilience, and social skills. Through engaging, play-based learning, we prepare children for a successful transition to primary school. With tailored activities and a nurturing environment, we equip each child with the essential skills to thrive in their educational journey.
Beautiful Natural Spaces
We’ve designed natural, open spaces for play-based learning, encouraging children to explore, imagine, and discover.
Mindfulness and Wellbeing
From mindfulness practices to emotional support, we prioritise your child’s mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Our approach builds resilience and empathy, while our nutritious, balanced meals ensure children are fuelled with healthy, nourishing food to support their growth and development.
Open Door Policy
Our open-door policy invites parents to engage in their child’s learning journey, recognising the importance of collaboration and open communication. By participating in activities and sharing insights, we create a nurturing environment that values each family’s contribution, empowering children to become confident, capable learners ready to explore the world.
Community Orientated Service
Our community-oriented service fosters strong connections between families and educators, promoting collaboration and support. We engage families actively, creating a nurturing environment where every child can thrive and grow together.
Discover the Perfect Start Experience
We’d love to show you around and give you a glimpse of what makes Perfect Start Early Education so special. Come see our beautiful spaces, meet our educators, and experience the warm, nurturing environment we’ve created.
Book your and take the first step towards giving your child the perfect start in early education.
