Child Care Subsidy Changes 2026: Understanding the New 3-Day Guarantee 


From January 2026, families across Australia will benefit from a significant update to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). The introduction of the 3-Day Guarantee will give eligible children access to up to three days of subsidised early learning each week, even if their parents or carers don’t meet the CCS activity test. 
For many families, this provides more flexibility, more support, and more opportunities for children to enjoy the benefits of quality early education. 

What is the 3-Day Guarantee?

At present, families who don’t meet the CCS activity test (based on paid work, study, or volunteering commitments) can only access 24 hours of subsidised care per fortnight which works out to be one day per week. From January 2026, this will expand to 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, or roughly three days per week in most long day care centres.

From January 2026, this will expand to 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, or roughly three days per week in most long day care centres. 

This change recognises the importance of regular early learning experiences during children’s foundational years, supporting their development, social skills, and school readiness. 

Who can access it? 

Your family may be eligible for the 3-Day Guarantee if:

  • Your child is under school age
  • Your family income is below $535,379 per year
  • You meet the general requirements for CCS
  • You currently do not meet the CCS activity test

Eligibility can be checked on Services Australia.

If your family could benefit from more flexible, affordable child care under the new 3-Day Guarantee starting in 2026, YWCA Canberra Children’s Services is here to support you. With welcoming centres across Canberra offering quality early learning and care, we provide nurturing environments where children thrive, and families feel supported.  

To learn more about how the 3-Day Guarantee can work for your family or to enquire about enrolments, please contact us at 02 6185 2040 or email childcareaccounts@ywca-canberra.org.au.  

Discover more about YWCA Canberra and our services on our website and take the next step toward giving your child a strong start with YWCA Canberra. 

 
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Chiara Will

Chiara is Director of School Age Care at YWCA Canberra, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a diverse range of leadership and management experience across the Early Childhood Education sector. Having held roles from Administration Officer to Centre Director, she brings a holistic skill base and a strength in solution-based approaches to learning. 

Prior to joining YWCA Canberra, Chiara led a team of over 25 educators, driving policy development, professional training and development, and contributing to Quality Improvement, Sustainability, Reconciliation, and Strategic Inclusion Action Plans. 

In her current role, Chiara leads the strategic development of processes and systems that ensure high-quality, safe, and inclusive environments for children. She mentors and empowers managers, leaders, and educators to deliver best-practice programs aligned with regulatory standards, fosters strong stakeholder partnerships, and guides the Quality Support Team in managing compliance and quality assurance across services. 

Shane McAlpine

Shane is Director of Children’s Services (ECEC) at YWCA Canberra, overseeing eight early learning services with 24 years of experience in the early childhood sector. He brings an extensive understanding of education and care, current practices, and regulatory requirements, with a robust approach to developing high-quality practitioners. 

Shane supports the day-to-day operation of educational practices and curriculum across all our early learning centres, with quality and pedagogical practice at the forefront. He plays a critical role in providing escalation support and mentorship to centre directors and educators alike. 

His professional passions include children’s rights, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusion and teaching perspectives, and advocacy for the early childhood profession. He is an active representative on the ACT committee of Early Childhood Australia. 

As a father of two children who have experienced the early years system firsthand, Shane brings a deeply personal understanding of the challenges families face in balancing work and parenting. This perspective shapes his inclusive, stakeholder-centred approach to service delivery across every centre he works with. 

Katherine Hellwig

Katherine is the Executive Director of Children’s Services at YWCA Canberra, bringing over 23 years of extensive experience in delivering education and care in ACT and the surrounding areas of the city. Her career spans both not-for-profit and commercial providers, highlighting her versatile and adaptable nature. 

For over 11 years, Katherine has held an executive role within a not-for-profit organisation that experienced significant growth in its early education and care portfolio. Her responsibilities included managing programs and initiatives that fostered engagement within the local community. 

Katherine began her career as an educator, and this hands-on experience has given her a profound understanding of the critical role educators play in the lives of children and families. Her qualifications include an Advanced Diploma of Children’s Services, an Undergraduate Certificate in Service Management, and a Diploma of Leadership and Management. In 2018, Katherine was honoured with the Community for Children’s Award by the ACT Children’s Week Committee, recognising her dedication and impact on the community.  

Katherine is driven by a strong pedagogical belief that all children have the right to access quality early learning in their first five years of life. She focuses on delivering high-quality education and care in both early education and after school care programs, ensuring children receive the best start in life.  

Frances Crimmins

Frances Crimmins is the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Canberra and has led the organisation since 2013, driving significant growth, high-quality integrated service delivery, and stronger corporate efficiency. Under her leadership, the non-profit organisation has become a courageous community advocate, ensuring the needs of vulnerable communities are seen, heard, and addressed locally and nationally. 

Frances brings a diverse background spanning the private and not-for-profit sectors across business, hospitality, healthcare, and community services. She remains a passionate advocate for policy initiatives addressing the root causes of women’s housing insecurity, homelessness, gender inequality, and gender-based violence. 

Frances also currently serves as Chair of Homelessness Australia and sits on the ACT Work Health Safety Advisory Council. Her former board roles include ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS), WESNET, the ACT Ministerial Advisory Committee for Women, and Co-Chair of Anti-Poverty Week in the ACT. 

Her leadership has been recognised with an Edna Ryan Award (2015), ACT Leader of the Year at the Australian Leadership Excellence Awards (2016), and selection into the inaugural Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA) program (2021). Frances regularly represents YWCA Canberra at the United Nations Commission for the Status of Women in New York. 

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