1.2.7 Additional child care subsidy (ACCS) - description

Objectives of ACCS

ACCS aims to:

• assist families and children facing barriers in accessing affordable child care, and
• provide additional fee assistance to families and children who are genuinely disadvantaged including:
  • children at risk of serious abuse or neglect - ACCS (child wellbeing)
  • grandparents on income support (1.1.I.50) who are the principal carer of their grandchildren - ACCS (grandparent)
  • families experiencing temporary financial hardship - ACCS (temporary financial hardship)
  • low income families transitioning to work from income support - ACCS (transition to work)

ACCS eligibility

Eligibility for ACCS is determined in relation to each session of care (1.1.S.40) delivered by an approved child care service (1.1.A.90). An individual (1.1.I.90) is eligible for ACCS for a session of care provided by an approved child care service to a child if, at the time the session is provided:

• the individual meets the eligibility criteria for CCS, and
• the individual meets the eligibility for either:
  • ACCS (child wellbeing),
  • ACCS (grandparent),
  • ACCS (temporary financial hardship), or
  • ACCS (transition to work).

An approved provider (1.1.A.90) is eligible for ACCS (child wellbeing) if they meet the eligibility criteria.

ACCS entitlement

The amount of ACCS an individual is entitled (1.1.E.30) to is dependent upon:

• the individual's eligibility for CCS for a child, and
• the individual's eligibility for either:
  • ACCS (child wellbeing),
  • ACCS (grandparent),
  • ACCS (temporary financial hardship), or
  • ACCS (transition to work).

An approved provider is entitled to ACCS (child wellbeing) for a child if they meet the eligibility criteria.

How ACCS is paid

ACCS is paid to approved providers to pass on as a fee reduction to individuals. ACCS is not subject to withholding or reconciliation (1.1.R.10).