The Australian government provides two forms of financial assistance to families to help cover the costs of approved child care ... the 'Child Care Benefit' and the 'Child Care Rebate'.  While eligibility requirements for the Child Care Benefit are based upon your family income, the Child Care Rebate is not income tested and is available to most people who have children in child care or being looked after by a registered carer.​
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What is it?
The Child Care Rebate covers 50% of out-of-pocket expenses for child care up to a maximum amount per child per year (the limit for the financial year 2011-12 is $7,500).  Using current payment rates, if you spend $15,000 per year on approved child care you will get $7,500 (exactly half of the total cost) back via the rebate.  If you spend $20,000 per year, you will still only receive $7,500 in assistance, and will therefore need to meet the balance of $12,500 yourself.

Is it worth claiming?
Definitely!  Child care costs vary from centre to centre, but for most people with a young family it is a significant commitment, and anything that can help reduce the costs in this area should be utilised.​
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Am I eligible?
In order to be eligible for the Child Care Rebate, you will need to meet the eligibility criteria of the Child Care Benefit (income levels excluded) as follows:

• You use an approved or registered child care
• You are responsible for paying the child care fees of your child
• Your child is immunised (or on an immunisation catch-up schedule) or is exempt from the immunisation requirement
• You meet the residency requirements (you must be a permanent resident or citizen, temporary residents are not eligible)
• You and your partner meet the 'work, training, study' test requirements (or are exempt from it) - this means you and your partner must have worked, trained, or studied at some time during the week in which your child was in care.