Who can get Child Care Benefit?

You may be eligible for Child Care Benefit if:

* you use approved or registered child care, and
* you or your partner (if you have one) are living permanently in Australia, and
* you are either an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, the holder of a permanent visa, the holder of certain temporary visas, an Australian Government sponsored student or in other special circumstances, and
* your child is immunised or exempt from the immunisation requirements, and
* you are liable for child care fees for your child.

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/inte...ual_how_ccb.htm

All eligible families can get up to 24 hours of Child Care Benefit for approved care per child per week.

If you and your partner are working or undertaking work related activities (including training or studying) for at least 15 hours per week (or 30 hours per fortnight), or you and your partner are exempt from this requirement, you may also be eligible for up to 50 hours of Child Care Benefit per child per week .

This payment can be paid directly to child care services to reduce the fees charged or as a lump sum to parents after the end of the financial year.
You are limited to 24 hours care per child per week unless the work test is met.
If the work test is met, you can get up to 50 hours care per child per week.

This payment is subject to an income test.
This payment is not subject to an assets test.

Approved Care Rate
Non school-age child in 50 hours of care - Up to $2.96 per hour, ($148.00 per week)
Rates for school age children are 85 per cent of the non-school age rate

Examples:

Family with two parents and 1 child between 5 and 13 years:

2 parents, 1 works earning $50,000, the other doesn't work: 76% rebate of schedule fees.
2 parents, 1 earns $50,000, the other $25,000: 41% rebate of schedule fees.
2 parents, both earn $50,000 each: 16% rebate of schedule fees.