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2.8 ACCS overview

Introduction

This chapter provides an overview of the ACCS and its sections describe the eligibility requirements for ACCS.

ACCS

The ACCS is a top up payment to the CCS that provides targeted additional fee assistance to families and children facing barriers in accessing affordable child care.

The ACCS will provide additional fee assistance to families and children who are genuinely disadvantaged including:

  • children at risk (1.1.A.110) of serious abuse or neglect - ACCS (child wellbeing) - a subsidy equal to the actual fee charged, up to 120% of the CCS hourly rate cap (1.1.H.20) for up to 100 hours per fortnight and activity exempt, irrespective of the family's income (1.1.I.20),
  • grandparents on income support (1.1.I.50) who are the principal caregiver of their grandchildren - ACCS (grandparent) - a subsidy equal to the actual fee charged, up to 120% of the CCS hourly rate cap for up to 100 hours per fortnight, and activity exempt. (Note: Grandparents who are principal carers and not on income support will be supported through the CCS),
  • families experiencing temporary financial hardship - ACCS (temporary financial hardship) - a subsidy equal to the actual fee charged, up to 120% of the CCS hourly rate cap for up to 100 hours per fortnight, activity test exempt for a maximum of 13 weeks per event,
  • low income families transitioning to work from income support - ACCS (transition to work) - a subsidy equal to 95% of the actual fee charged, up to the CCS hourly rate cap, with the hours of subsidised care based on the activity test.

The ACCS Hierarchy

An individual (1.1.I.90) can only be in receipt of 1 kind of ACCS at a time. Where an individual may be eligible for more than 1 kind of ACCS for a session of care (1.1.S.40), the individual will receive the kind of ACCS higher in the hierarchy. The ACCS hierarchy is:

  • ACCS (child wellbeing),
  • ACCS (grandparent),
  • ACCS (temporary financial hardship),
  • ACCS (transition to work).
Act reference: FAAct Part 4A Division 3 Eligibility for ACCS, section 85EB Only eligible for one kind of ACCS at a time

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