NSW Preschool Subsidy Calculator
Getting ready for preschool in New South Wales? Use our NSW Preschool Subsidy Calculator to estimate your weekly out-of-pocket costs when enrolling your child in a government-approved preschool program at a long day care centre.
Thanks to the NSW Government’s Start Strong Preschool program, eligible families can receive significant fee relief on top of the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) when enrolling in a quality preschool program delivered in a long day care setting. Great Beginnings and other G8 Education early learning brands are proud to offer government-approved preschool programs that combine early learning with long day care flexibility.
Our NSW preschool subsidy calculator gives you an estimate of:
- How much Start Strong preschool funding you may receive based on your child’s age and hours enrolled
- The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) you may be eligible for based on your household income and activity levels
- Your estimated weekly and annual out-of-pocket costs after both subsidies are applied
This tool is designed to help NSW families plan ahead and gain a clearer picture of their potential preschool savings.
Find out how much Child Care Subsidy you could be entitled to with our quick and easy calculator.
CCS Calculator results
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Step 1: Activity test
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Step 2: Family information & financial state
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Step 3: Children & child care information
Total Fees
$0.00Estimated CCS Fee Subsidy
$0.00Kindergarten/Preschool Subsidy
$0.00Out of Pocket Cost (what you pay)
$0.00Total Fees
$0.00Estimated CCS Fee Subsidy
$0.00Kindergarten/Preschool Subsidy
$0.00Out of Pocket Cost (what you pay)
$0.00Total Fees
$0.00Estimated CCS Fee Subsidy
$0.00Kindergarten/Preschool Subsidy
$0.00Out of Pocket Cost (what you pay)
$0.00Matrix Out of Pocket Cost
Is your CCS working for you? Check the matrix of “Out Of Pocket Cost” per Child at the varying Session lengths and Weekly Days attended below. Please note: The below table only shows out-of-pocket costs after CCS (Child Care Subsidy). It does not include the weekly Kindergarten/Preschool fee subsidy, which may further reduce your fees if eligible.
| Child 1 | 1 day | 2 days | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 hour session | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 10 hour session | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 12 hour session | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Please check with your centre as to their full day operating hours so that you can compare above. All G8 Education calculators take into consideration the Federal Government’s 5% withholding in your estimated CCS calculation.
Kindergarten/Preschool subsidy is subject to State Government specific requirements including child age eligibility criteria and the delivery of the funded program by an Early Childhood Teacher on the day the subsidy is claimed by the family. Calculations herein are based on the assumption all eligibility criteria is met. Please contact your Centre Manager for detailed information.
Disclaimer: This calculator is provided as a guide only. It is dependent on the accuracy of information added, including hours the child is eligible for and incomes entered. Changes in entitlements can also occur for a family between completing the estimation and commencing at an Early Education and Care Centre.
How does the NSW Start Strong Program work?
The Start Strong preschool program provides families in New South Wales with access to government-subsidised early childhood education in the years before school. The initiative makes preschool more affordable by offering:
- up to $2,174 per year in fee relief for 4-year-olds attending long day care preschool programs
- up to $515 per year for eligible 3-year-olds
- funding applied in addition to CCS, not instead of it
These subsidies are applied directly to your service fees, making preschool more accessible and affordable for NSW families. Payments are pro-rated monthly from March to December, and are applied after Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is calculated. If a child starts after March or leaves before December, the preschool fee relief is adjusted on a pro-rata basis based on their actual enrolment period.
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Am I eligible for the NSW Start Strong Preschool Subsidy?
To be eligible for preschool subsidy under the Start Strong preschool program, your child must:
- be 4 years old on or before 31 July 2025 (for the full subsidy)
- or be 3 years old and not yet 4 years old on or before 31 July 2025 (for the partial subsidy)
- be enrolled in a preschool program delivered by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher
- attend an eligible long day care centre like Great Beginnings that offers Start Strong preschool programs
To access this subsidy, families need to complete a 2025 Fee Relief Declaration and Consent Form and submit it to their chosen early childhood education and care service.
Find a G8 Education Preschool near you
Need help understanding your results?
Our friendly team is here to help. Once you’ve used the calculator, feel free to contact our local centre to discuss your estimate, program options, and how we can support your child’s preschool year.