Grandparents Childcare Benefit
The Federal Government funds child care under the Child Care Benefit scheme through the Family Assistance Office. Eligible grandparents can receive up to 50 hours of free child care per week, per child, through the Grandparents Child Care Benefit (GCCB). You need to phone:l the Family Assistance Office that you are a grandparent raising your grandchildren so you receive your entitlement.
Child care is available for children up to the age of five at approved Child Care Centres. Before school care, after school care and vacation care are available and can also be covered by your Child Care Benefit.
Do I have to be working to apply for this benefit?
No - Grandparents can receive up to 50 hours of free child care per child per week if they are on a Centrelink payment as their income – a pension, allowance or payment of some kind. You do not need to be studying, training or working.Can I get Child Care Benefit if I work or am self funded?
If one or both of the grandparents is working or you are a self-funded retiree you will still be able to apply for Child Care Benefit as a rebate applies for up to 50 hours of child care per child per week at approved Child Care Centres.How do I find an approved Child Care Centre?
To find your nearest authorised Long Day Care Centre – phone the Child Care Access Hotline phone: 1800 670 305
Centres such as long day care, family day care, before and after school care, vacation care, some occasional care and some in-home care are approved child care providers.
How do I apply for Grandparents Child Care Benefit?
To apply for GCCB contact the Family Assistance Office phone: 13 61 50 or visit your nearest Family Assistance Office located in all Centrelink Customer Service Centres, Medicare offices and Tax Office shopfronts.
Grandparents Childcare Benefits
You can receive free child care for you grandchildren – up to 50 HOURS per week per child if you are receiving:
- a Centrelink Payment as your income (a pension or allowance of some kind) and;
- family assistance (Family Tax Benefit)
Child care must be provided through an 'approved' Child Care Centre. To find the nearest Centre phone the Child Care Access Hotline: 1800 607 305
If you are working you are entitled to a rebate for up to 50 Hours of child care at an 'approved' Centre.
To claim the Grandparents Childcare Benefit just phone:
- the Family Assistance Office 13 61 50 or -
- visist the nearest Family Assistance Office located in all Centrelink Customer Service Centres, Medicare offices and Tax Office shopfronts
the website at http://www.familyassist.gov.au/
It is important to Note:
The Grandparents Child Care Benefit is not a lump sum of money you will receive. The payment goes to the Centre – but you have to apply for it.
You are entitled to be receiving the Familiy Tax Benefit as you have the fulltime care and control of your grandchildren. This payment helps with the costs of raising children and is available even if you are working.
Any Questions
Contact the Family Assistance Office