At North Star Early Education, we believe every child deserves access to consistent, high-quality early learning. That is why we welcome the Australian Government’s new initiative, the 3-Day Guarantee, which will make early childhood education more accessible for families across the country.
What the 3-Day Guarantee Means for Your Family
From 5 January 2026, all families eligible for CCS will automatically receive a minimum of 3 days of subsidised care per week (72 hours per fortnight) for each child. This will apply regardless of parents’ work, study, or volunteering hours.
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Families who currently attend less than 3 days per week will see their CCS entitlements increase.
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Families already accessing more than 72 hours per fortnight due to work or study will continue with their existing entitlements.
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First Nations children will be entitled to 100 hours per fortnight.
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Families with exemptions will also have access to up to 100 hours.
For many families, this change could represent a saving of up to $11,400 per year (based on 3 days of care per week, 50 weeks of the year, at average CCS fee projections).
Example
Sarah and Alex have one child enrolled for 3 days a week. Their household income is $90,000. Previously, they were only entitled to 18 hours of CCS due to Alex’s limited work hours. With the 3-Day Guarantee, their entitlements increase to 36 hours per week (72 per fortnight). This saves them around $230 each week, or $11,400 annually.
Better-off amounts for different household incomes
Annual Household Income |
Better-off per Week |
Annual Better-off (50 weeks of care) |
|---|---|---|
| $90,000 | $230 | $11,400 |
| $120,000 | $220 | $10,630 |
| $140,000 | $200 | $10,110 |
Why This Change Matters
Research shows that children who regularly attend early education are better prepared for school and life. The 3-Day Guarantee removes barriers so that more children can access consistent, high-quality learning opportunities.
This means:
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Stronger school readiness and learning outcomes.
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Fairer access to childcare for all families.
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Children thriving socially, emotionally, and academically before starting school.
Preparing for the 3-Day Guarantee
We encourage families to begin planning for 2026. If you are considering increasing your child’s attendance to 3 days, speak with your Centre Director early to secure your booking and entitlements.
Join the North Star Community
At North Star Early Education, we are proud to partner with families on this journey. Whether you are already part of our community or looking to enrol, now is the perfect time to discover how the 3-Day Guarantee can support your family.
Our educators are dedicated to guiding, nurturing, and supporting your child’s growth—every step of the way.
