Families in Australia relying on the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) must confirm their family income before 30 June 2025 to avoid disruptions to their benefits. Failing to do so will result in the CCS stopping, and families will be required to pay full child care fees from 7 July 2025. This policy ensures that government support is accurately targeted and that families receive the correct amount of financial assistance based on their current circumstances.
How to Confirm Your Family Income
Lodging Your Tax Return
One of the primary ways to confirm your family income is by lodging a tax return with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). This process is straightforward for most families and is essential for accurately determining eligibility and subsidy rates. Even if your family income is below the threshold for mandatory tax lodgment, you may still need to notify Services Australia if you are not required to lodge a tax return.
Notifying Services Australia If You Don’t Need to Lodge a Tax Return
If you are not required to lodge a tax return for the financial year, you can notify Services Australia online. This step is crucial for families who fall below the income threshold or who have no taxable income. Failing to notify Services Australia can result in the same penalties as not lodging a tax return—your CCS will stop, and you will be responsible for full child care fees.
Partner Income Confirmation
If you have a partner, or if you had a partner during the financial year but have since separated, both incomes must be confirmed. This ensures that the family’s total income is accurately assessed for CCS purposes. Both partners must either lodge a tax return or notify Services Australia if a tax return is not required.
Key Deadlines and Consequences
Deadline: 30 June 2025
The deadline to confirm your family income is 30 June 2025. This gives families ample time to gather necessary documents, complete their tax returns, or submit the required notifications to Services Australia. Missing this deadline will have immediate consequences for your child care subsidy.
Consequences of Missing the Deadline
If you do not confirm your family income by the deadline, your CCS will stop. From 7 July 2025, you will be required to pay full child care fees until your income is confirmed. This can create significant financial pressure for families relying on the subsidy to afford child care.
How to Avoid Disruptions
Stay Informed and Act Early
To avoid any disruptions to your CCS, it is important to stay informed about deadlines and requirements. Subscribing to updates from Services Australia, such as through their RSS news feed, can help you stay on top of any changes or reminders.
Prepare Your Documentation
Gather all necessary financial documents, including payslips, bank statements, and any other proof of income. This will make the process of lodging your tax return or notifying Services Australia much smoother.
Communicate with Your Partner
If you have a partner, ensure that both of you are aware of the requirements and deadlines. Coordinating with your partner will help prevent delays and ensure that both incomes are confirmed on time.
Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Scheme Data Table
Below is a summary of key information related to the Child Care Subsidy scheme:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Child Care Subsidy (CCS) |
| Administered by | Services Australia |
| Income Confirmation Deadline | 30 June 2025 |
| Consequences of Missing Deadline | CCS stops; full child care fees from 7 July 2025 |
| How to Confirm Income | Lodge tax return with ATO or notify Services Australia online |
| Partner Income Requirement | Both partners must confirm income if applicable |
| Updates and Alerts | Available via Services Australia RSS news feed |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I don’t confirm my family income by 30 June 2025?
If you do not confirm your family income by the deadline, your Child Care Subsidy will stop, and you will have to pay full child care fees from 7 July 2025.
2. Do both parents need to confirm their income?
Yes, if you have a partner (or had one during the financial year), both of you must confirm your income—either by lodging a tax return or notifying Services Australia if you don’t need to lodge one.
3. How can I confirm my income if I don’t need to lodge a tax return?
You can notify Services Australia online that you are not required to lodge a tax return for the financial year. This is an essential step to keep your CCS active.
