The cost of childcare in Sydney, 2026 guide

How much does childcare cost in Sydney in 2026, and is there any way to keep these costs manageable?

This question matters to thousands of Sydney families every year. Even with both parents working full time, the cost of quality childcare is a significant household expense.

With four childcare centres across northern Sydney, our team at Eikoh Seminar sees the financial conversations parents have firsthand. This guide covers the current cost of childcare in Sydney in 2026, how the Child Care Subsidy works (including the major 2026 changes), and what is included in a typical centre fee.

Average childcare costs in Sydney 2026

In 2026, the average daily fee for centre-based long day care in Sydney is approximately $150 to $210 per day before subsidy, with significant variation by suburb. Centres closer to the CBD or in suburbs with higher commercial real estate costs charge more. Centres in outer suburbs typically charge less.

For comparison:

• The KindiCare Price Index puts the average daily fee for long day care in Australia at $136.15
• The Australian Capital Territory is the most expensive state or territory at $148.60 per day
• Tasmania is the cheapest at $121.40 per day
• Within Sydney, suburb-by-suburb variation is large. Inner suburbs like Cremorne can average $193 per day, while outer suburbs average closer to $137 per day

Sydney sits at the higher end of the Australian range. The main driver is commercial real estate. A centre in inner Sydney pays multiples per square metre of what an equivalent centre in regional NSW pays. Educator wages also vary somewhat by location.

For context, Eikoh's 4 centres charge between $135 and $185 per day depending on the centre and the child's age, putting us at the accessible end of the Sydney market.

Managing the cost: CCS and ACCS

As one of the most expensive states for childcare, Sydney's costs can weigh heavily on household finances. Most parents do not have the option of avoiding childcare entirely because of work commitments and the daily commute, which puts them in a difficult position.

The Australian government provides funding to families that need help managing this pressure. There are two main types of support: the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and the Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS).

Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

The Child Care Subsidy is a financial assistance program that covers a percentage of your childcare fees. The subsidy is calculated based on your child's age, the type of childcare they receive, your combined family income, and how many hours of activity (work, study, training, volunteering) you and your partner do.

The subsidy is paid directly to your childcare provider, who then deducts it from your fees. You only pay the gap.

The 2026-27 financial year hourly rate caps (effective 6 July 2026) are:

• Centre-based day care (children below school age): $15.19 per hour
• Family day care: $14.08 per hour
• Outside school hours care (school-age children): $13.30 per hour

If your centre charges above the hourly rate cap, you pay the full difference. This is why "premium" centres in inner Sydney can have a bigger out-of-pocket gap than their headline fee suggests.

The 2026-27 family income thresholds:

• Families earning under $88,520 per year receive the maximum 90% subsidy
• The subsidy reduces by 1% for every additional $5,000 earned above $88,520
• Families earning $538,520 or more receive no CCS

Families with more than one child aged 5 or under, with combined income below $370,727, may receive a higher subsidy rate for their second and younger children.

For exact entitlements, check Services Australia or use the CCS gap fee calculator.

Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS)

Some families need more than the regular CCS to make childcare workable. The Additional Child Care Subsidy provides extra financial support in specific circumstances:

• Families experiencing significant financial difficulty
• Grandparents caring for grandchildren
• Families transitioning from income support to employment
• Children at risk of serious abuse or neglect

To find out if you qualify, contact Services Australia.

The 3 Day Guarantee from January 2026

This is a significant reform. Previously, families who didn't meet the activity test (because of unemployment, irregular work, or other circumstances) often received only 24 or 36 hours per fortnight, or none at all. The 3 Day Guarantee removes that barrier for the first 3 days of care.

Practical implications:

• Families who were getting 36 hours per fortnight may now receive 72 hours, potentially saving thousands per year
• The activity test still applies if you want more than 72 hours per fortnight (i.e. more than 3 days per week)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can get 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight

This change makes it more practical for families with one parent working part-time, in irregular work, or stepping back into work to access subsidised care for three days a week.

How much does daycare cost in Sydney per day?

The cost of centre-based long day care in Sydney varies based on the provider, location, and the age of your child. As a rule:

• Inner-city Sydney (Cremorne, Mosman, Surry Hills, etc.): often $180-$220 per day
• Middle suburbs (most of the north shore, eastern suburbs, inner west): typically $150-$190 per day
• Outer suburbs and regional Sydney: typically $130-$160 per day

Some childcare centres also offer different timeslots (full day, three-quarter day, etc.) to cater for different schedules. It's worth checking whether the centre's session structure matches your work or study timetable, especially because most centres charge a flat daily rate even if your child is there for only part of the day.

Across our 4 centres, fee ranges are:

• Normanhurst Child Care Centre: $164 to $185 per day depending on age
• St Ives Chase Kindergarten: see stiveschase.nsw.edu.au for current fees
• Roseville Kindergarten: see rosevillekindy.nsw.edu.au for current fees
• West Ryde Long Day Care: see westrydeldc.nsw.edu.au for current fees

What's included in the cost?

A major reason for the cost of childcare service is what's actually included. Centre-based long day care typically includes everything your child needs for the duration of the session:

• Meals: breakfast, morning tea, hot lunch, afternoon tea, and (at most centres) a late afternoon tea
• Educational programmes: planned activities aligned with the EYLF, intentional teaching, play-based learning
• Care: nappies (for under-3s, at most centres), nappy changes, supervision, sleep time, sun protection
• Resources: art materials, books, toys, sand, water, outdoor equipment
• Reporting: developmental progress reports, regular communication via OWNA app or similar

What is and isn't included varies between centres, so it's worth asking specifically. Some centres charge separately for things like incursions or excursions; some include them; some don't run them at all. At our long day care centres in Normanhurst and West Ryde the daily fee covers all five meals cooked on site, the education programme, sunscreen, a bucket hat, and disposable nappies and baby formula for the under-3 rooms. At Roseville and St Ives Chase, where children bring their own morning tea and lunch from home, the daily fee covers the education programme, sunscreen and a bucket hat; afternoon tea is provided by the centre for long day care children. Across all four centres, some incursions and special events are absorbed into the daily fee, while specialist or multi-week programs are charged separately and are opt-in, with written notice in advance.

Final thoughts

For most parents, the value childcare provides, both to their children and to the family's daily logistics, is worth the cost. It's also one of the largest outgoings a family with young children faces.

The 3 Day Guarantee from January 2026 is a meaningful change. If you've previously been told you only qualify for 24 or 36 hours of subsidy per fortnight, your situation may have changed. It's worth checking with Services Australia or using the CCS gap fee calculator.

At Eikoh Seminar, we are an approved CCS provider across all 4 centres. Enrolling makes you eligible for CCS, so you don't shoulder the costs alone. Contact us to talk through fees, vacancies, and what your gap fee might look like.