BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

NOVEMBER 17, 2025

The New Year always starts with a bang, and in 2026, we’re not just talking about fireworks! 

Something called the ‘3 Day Guarantee’ begins on Monday, 5 January 2026, and whether you’re enrolled at an early learning service, or still choosing the perfect place, this Child Care Subsidy change is important to know about.  

The 3 Day Guarantee is a bright idea of the Australian Government, and Kathryne Francisco is here to provide a parent-friendly explanation!  

Kathryne is a Child Care Subsidy expert at one of Australia’s biggest providers, G8 Education. 

And she says, “The easiest way to explain the 3 Day Guarantee is that all families who are eligible for a Child Care Subsidy will be able to access at least three days of subsidised care each week.” 

Although lots of families get three (or more) days of subsidised care under the current system, this change is for the greater good. 

All those families who previously received no subsidised care, or just one or two days per week, will be eligible for a minimum of three days of subsidised childcare per week – without having to do ‘recognised activities’ for the Child Care Subsidy Activity Test. 

This complex, and much criticised, test is being replaced by the 3 Day Guarantee, and Kathryne says the Subsidy change, “Ensures more families can access quality early childhood education and care.   

“The Government has simplified the Child Care Subsidy, so that if a family meets the eligibility criteria, they will soon receive either 72 hours or 100 hours of subsidised care across the fortnight, which equates to either three days or five days of care per week. 

“Indigenous families who may have been ineligible for subsidised care, or only eligible for a day or two, will be able to access up to five days per week.” 

Photo from Great Beginnings Halls Head 

There are a couple of small provisos, though.  

The 3 Day Guarantee locks in at least three days of subsidised care per week, but it doesn’t guarantee a childcare place, or promise fully subsidised fees.  

As a parent, you’re still responsible for finding an available spot for your child, and can expect to pay a gap fee (which is the full fee charged by your centre, minus your Subsidy amount). 

If you’re at the very start of your early learning journey, then you also need to check whether you’re eligible for the Child Care Subsidy, and then apply for it via myGov.  

Kathryne says, “It’s best to start this process early, because it can sometimes take up to six weeks for Child Care Subsidy applications to be reviewed during busy periods.”  

Photo from Casa Bambini Coburg 

The good news is that families don’t need to do anything special to prepare for the 3 Day Guarantee. 

After it starts, the government will automatically update each family’s entitlements, and this could mean that a family who’s currently ineligible for the Child Care Subsidy, might become eligible for it from Monday, 5 January 2026.  

The whole change is supposed to be smooth and simple, but the Child Care Subsidy does have a few moving parts, and G8 Education is on hand to help.  

Their Child Care Subsidy Calculator makes it easy to compare your Child Care Subsidy estimate from now to 5 January 2026; and if you have a preschool-aged child, it factors in your state’s kindergarten funding model too.  

The staff at your local G8 Education centre are also a wealth of knowledge, wherever you are on your early learning journey.  

They can answer your Subsidy questions when you’re new to everything, then regularly review your care agreement to make sure you’re optimising your Child Care Subsidy entitlement.  

Photo from Community Kids Mornington 

Kathryne explains that, “G8 Education centres offer 9-hours, 10-hours or full day sessions (from open to closing time), and we know that every family’s circumstances and entitlements are different.  

“So, session lengths (or hours of care each day) can be increased or decreased to the best suited session hours to ensure families can optimise their Subsidy entitlements.  

“For example, a single parent who works part-time, a few days each week, may currently meet the eligibility criteria for 36 hours of subsidised care, with a 90% Subsidy rate.  

“Currently, they will be out of pocket more than $100* if their child attends a centre two days each week. However, from 5 January 2026, they would save almost $57* each week. And if they wanted to send their child to a childcare centre for a third day each week, they would be out of pocket roughly $70* each week.”  

All in all, the 3 Day Guarantee will brighten families’ budgets and improve access to quality childcare, which means 5 January 2026 is the start of great new things!  

Photo from Kindy Patch Springfield 

*Disclaimer: This is an estimate only and will vary based on the centre’s fees and the Child Care Subsidy entitlements of each family.