Cost of Care

What’s the difference between daily and hourly childcare fees?

Childcare services in Australia typically use either daily or hourly pricing models, and each works differently. Daily fees are common in long day care and offer predictable, fixed costs for a full day, regardless of hours used. Hourly fees, often found in family day care or occasional care, can feel more flexible but don’t always result in lower overall costs due to minimum bookings or higher hourly rates. The best option depends on your schedule, flexibility and what’s available locally. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) applies to both models but is calculated using an hourly rate cap, which can affect your out-of-pocket costs. Comparing weekly totals, inclusions and subsidy impact can help you make a more informed decision.