From January 2026, more families at The Hive Early Learning Centres will be able to access three days of subsidised early learning, no matter their work or study hours.
This change, called the 3-Day Guarantee, is one of the most meaningful updates to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) in years. For families who’ve previously only qualified for one subsidised day a week, it opens the door to more learning, more routine, and a lot more flexibility.
If you’re thinking about enrolling your child in care this year, this is one update you’ll want to know about.
So, what exactly is the 3-Day Guarantee?
The 3-Day Guarantee provides eligible families with 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, which usually works out to three days per week in long day care.
Until now, families who didn’t meet the CCS activity test were limited to just 24 hours per fortnight, equivalent to around one day a week.
From January 2026, that limit increases. This means more families can access quality early learning at a lower out-of-pocket cost, even if your work schedule changes, your hours vary, or you’re between roles.
Who can access the 3-Day Guarantee?
You may be eligible if you:
- Didn’t meet the current CCS activity test
- Have a child under school age
- Are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy
- Have a family income under $535,279 per year
Eligibility can be checked through Services Australia.
Why the 3-Day Guarantee matters to families at The Hive Early Learning Centre
The 3-Day Guarantee is about making early learning at The Hive fairer, simpler, and more accessible for families.
- CCS that works for real life: If you’re eligible for CCS, you can access it — even if your work hours change or don’t fit activity-based rules.
- Meaningful fee relief: With more subsidised hours available, many families will see lower out-of-pocket costs each week, helping household budgets go further.
- Better access to early learning: More children can attend The Hive Early Learning Centre regularly, giving them the chance to enjoy high-quality early education and care from the start.
An Example Scenario:
| Then (2025) | Now (2026) |
| Emma’s 2 year old attends The Hive Early Learning Centre, 3 days a week. | |
| But Emma doesn’t meet the old activity test, so only 1 day per week is subsidised. | Under the 3-Day Guarantee, because Emma’s family is eligible for CCS, all 3 days per week become subsidised up to the 72-hour minimum. |
| That means the other 2 days are paid at full price, which adds up quickly. | Instead of paying full fees for 2 days, they now pay only their gap fee on all 3 days. |
| Even though their child goes 3 days, they only save on one subsidised day. | That means lower weekly costs and more value from every day their child attends The Hive Early Learning Centre. |
Where to from here?
With more families accessing 3 days of childcare per week, vacancies at The Hive Early Learning Centre are limited. It’s important to enquire now to increase your days or you may miss out on a place!
Not enrolled at The Hive Early Learning Centre? Not to worry! We’d love for you to Book a Tour or Contact us so you can speak with our knowledgeable team and learn more about childcare options at The Hive.
Got a question? Call 1300 000 843 or email us at info@thehiveelc.com.au
