Three Days of Opportunity: What the 3-Day Guarantee Means for Your Family
From January 2026, Australian families will be guaranteed access to at least 72 hours of subsidised early childhood education and care (ECEC) each fortnight, which is equivalent to around three days of care per week.
The 3 Day Guarantee replaces the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Activity Test, meaning more children will be able to attend high-quality early learning programs, regardless of how many hours their parents work or study.
At Sagewood Early Learning, we are proud to support this major reform. As a long-standing member of the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA), we have supported and contributed to the national advocacy that helped bring this change forward. It is an important step toward ensuring every child can experience the lifelong benefits of early education.
What Is the 3 Day Guarantee?
Under the current CCS system, your subsidy depends on how much time you spend in recognised activities such as work, study or training. From January 2026, this will change in a way that is simpler and fairer for families.
Under the 3 Day Guarantee:
All families eligible for CCS will receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, regardless of work or study hours.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families will receive 100 hours per fortnight, which equates to up to five days each week.
The Activity Test will be removed for the first 72 hours, allowing families greater certainty and more consistent access to early learning.
Care will continue to be subsidised, not free. Your subsidy percentage is based on household income, with eligible families receiving up to 95 percent off fees.
Some families may still receive more than 72 hours. This includes families with higher workforce participation or those receiving additional subsidies or exemptions.
How 72 hours may work week to week
In most cases, 72 hours will translate to around three standard long days of care each week. However, services may choose to offer these hours across shorter session lengths, which means some families will be able to spread their hours across more days. This may also help reduce out of pocket costs for certain families, depending on how their service structures sessions.
To learn more about how the Child Care Subsidy is calculated, visit the Department of Education’s official CCS page.
Why This Reform Matters
Access to early learning has a profound effect on a child's development, including communication skills, confidence, emotional regulation, school readiness and long-term wellbeing.
For years, the Activity Test made it challenging for families working casually, studying part-time time or seeking employment to access consistent subsidised care. The 3 Day Guarantee removes these barriers and ensures that every child can participate in early education.
“This is one of the most positive changes we have seen in years,” says Jay Barr, Chief Operating Officer of Sagewood Early Learning and Secretary of the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) WA. “As a national committee, the ACA has advocated strongly for the removal of the Activity Test. We commend the Australian Government for making this important and impactful change, which will greatly benefit the most disadvantaged families who need support the most. It means every child, no matter their family's work situation, can build strong relationships, develop essential skills and fully experience the benefits of quality early learning. We are thrilled to see families gain greater certainty and flexibility.”
At Sagewood Early Learning, we witness these benefits every day. Research from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) and the Department of Education shows that children who consistently attend high-quality early learning programs develop stronger communication, emotional and cognitive skills that support them well into school and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for the 3 Day Guarantee?
All families eligible for CCS will receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, regardless of work or study hours.
When does the new system start?
The change begins from 5 January 2026, under the Early Childhood Education and Care (Three Day Guarantee) Bill 2025.
Will childcare be free?
No. Care remains subsidised, not free. Your subsidy percentage, up to 95 percent, depends on your household income. You can estimate your subsidy using the Government’s CCS Calculator on Services Australia.
What about 100 hour entitlements?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as well as families receiving certain additional childcare subsidies or exemptions, will receive 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
Do I need to reapply if I already receive CCS?
No. If you are currently receiving CCS, your eligibility will move automatically into the new system.
How can I stay updated?
For the latest information, visit the Department of Education or the Services Australia CCS page.
What This Change May Mean for Your Child’s Enrolment
As these reforms roll out, families need to consider how their booking patterns may shift next year.
Some families may choose to add an additional day of care, switch to shorter sessions across more days, adjust session lengths to reduce out-of-pocket costs, or increase enrolments to take advantage of consistent subsidised hours. For services, these changes may also lead to an increase in enrolment requests, depending on centre availability.
If you think your needs may change in 2026, we encourage you to speak with your centre early. Our team is here to support you.
The Benefits of Early Learning
Quality early education shapes strong foundations for lifelong learning. At Sagewood Early Learning, our play-based programs nurture curiosity, creativity and confidence in every child.
Key benefits of early childhood education include:
Building early literacy, numeracy and communication skills
Supporting social and emotional development
Encouraging independence and self-regulation
Preparing children for a smooth transition to school
Fostering a love of learning through exploration and play
Learn more about why early learning matters and how we create a nurturing, inclusive environment for children of all backgrounds.
Sagewood Is Here to Help Your Family Navigate the Change
As both a trusted early learning provider and an active voice in national advocacy through the Australian Childcare Alliance, Sagewood Early Learning is uniquely positioned to guide families through the transition to the 3 Day Guarantee. Our team understands the reforms deeply and can support you in making confident decisions about booking patterns, session lengths and maximising your CCS entitlements in 2026.
If you would like personalised guidance or want to talk through what these changes might mean for your family, we are here to help.
Call us today or book a tour at one of our Sagewood Early Learning Centres to speak with our friendly team and explore how the 3 Day Guarantee can make early learning more accessible and affordable for your family.