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Jobs, Education and Training (JET) Child Care fee assistance

What is JET Child Care fee assistance?

If you are on an income support payment you may be able to get JET Child Care fee assistance. This is a payment to help you with the cost of your approved child care by paying some of the 'gap fee’ not covered by Child Care Benefit while you are working, training or studying so you can enter or re-enter the workforce.

Can I get JET Child Care fee assistance?

You may be eligible for JET Child Care fee assistance if you:

Eligible Centrelink payments include:

What activities does JET Child Care fee assistance support?

JET Child Care fee assistance supports many activities up to a limited amount of time which varies from activity to activity. Here are the activities:

How much can I get?

JET Child Care fee assistance can help meet the cost of child care by paying some of the 'gap fee'. The 'gap fee' is the difference between the amount you are charged and the amount you get for Child Care Benefit.

You will need to pay 10c per hour per child to your service. The Government will pay your Child Care Benefit and any gap fee. If you use more hours than you are entitled to (24 or 50 hours) you will have to pay the full cost for these additional hours.

How many hours a week can I get JET Child Care fee assistance for?

This depends on:

Note: The number of hours you receive JET Child Care fee assistance for in a week cannot be more than the hours you receive Child Care Benefit in the same week, i.e. 24 or 50 hours.

How do I receive my JET Child Care fee assistance?

JET Child Care fee assistance is paid just like your Child Care Benefit. It is paid directly to your approved child care service so that the fees you pay are reduced.

What if my child is absent from child care?

JET Child Care fee assistance can be paid in some situations if you are charged for child care when your child is absent.

Child Care Benefit is paid for up to 42 absences for each child per financial year across all approved child care services except Occasional Care. These absence days can be taken for any reason with no evidence required. Please talk to your child care provider regarding the absence policy detail.

Child Care Benefit is also paid for additional absences above the 42 days for certain reasons. There is no limit on these days but supporting documentation may be required. Please talk to your child care provider regarding the additional absence policy detail and any supporting document requirements.

For Occasional Care, Child Care Benefit is paid for an absence if the child care has been booked and paid for at the Occasional Care service. There is no limit on the number of absences.

You can access your child's absence record on your View Child Care Attendance online statement available under View child care details and payments at Online Services.

For more information on absences from child care, you can access the Information for families using child care fact sheet kit available on the DEEWR website.

How do I get JET Child Care fee assistance?

For further information on and to apply for JET Child Care fee assistance, contact the Family Assistance Office on 13 6150.

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