Australian families meeting eligibility requirements will receive a minimum of 72 hours of subsidized early childhood education every fortnight, aligning with the recently introduced three-day guarantee.

“For some families, this will reduce costs to as low as $15 per day,” stated Chalmers.

“Starting today, lower-income families utilizing Goodstart services will see savings of $250 per week,” he added.

Eligibility for the scheme is limited to households with an income under $535,279 annually.

Chalmers noted that approximately 100,000 families are expected to benefit from this initiative.

According to federal government calculations, a family with an annual household income of $140,000 will save $10,110 over 50 weeks of child care.

The treasurer described the new rule as the next step towards a universal childcare and early education system.

“The three-day guarantee recognises that the work that happens here is not babysitting, it’s not childminding, it is a really important part of Australia’s education system,” Chalmers added.

“We work on the basis that if it’s good for kids, it’s good for families and good for the education system, then it’s good for the economy as well.”

Families receiving the CCS do not need to do anything to adjust to the changes, but must still meet eligibility criteria and pay a gap fee.

Families are eligible if they care for their child at least two nights per fortnight, or have at least a 14 per cent share of care, meet residency requirements, and be liable for care fees.

Children must also not be in high school and be aged 13 or under, except in certain circumstances, and meet immunisation requirements.

The 72 hours of subsidised childcare can be increased to 100 hours a fortnight if the family is caring for an Indigenous child, have more than 48 hours each fortnight of recognised participation, have an exemption or experience exceptional circumstances, or receive Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) child wellbeing, temporary financial hardship or grandparent payments.

Families with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child in their care will need to tell Services Australia in order to receive 100 hours of childcare, but it’s not a mandatory revelation if the family is happy with 72 hours.

Despite the subsidy guarantee, families are still not guaranteed a place with a child care provider.

They will need to secure a place with a service and may need to pay a gap fee.