Major change gives Australian children more time to learn and play with new 3 Day Guarantee

05 Jan 2026 – Early childhood education and care is now more affordable and accessible than ever for Australian families, as the Federal Government’s new 3 Day Guarantee comes into effect.

From today, the Child Care Subsidy Activity Test will no longer determine a child’s eligibility for early learning, with families who need it guaranteed at least three days of subsidised early childhood education and care each week.

Countless national and international studies have confirmed that more time in high-quality early learning ensures every child has time to develop key skills and connections in their early years and has more opportunities to learn, play and make friends. These early experiences help children build strong foundations for school and life.

The nation’s leading childhood advocates, including Thrive by Five’s Minderoo Foundation, The Front Project, The Parenthood and SNAICC have welcomed the change, which will see more than 126,000 children access opportunities they previously may not have had, especially First Nations children and those from low-income families.

Minderoo Foundation’s Executive Director of Communities Penny Dakin said this bold, nation-shaping reform has been long overdue and is a huge step towards a universal early education and care system for Australian families.

“It is fantastic the government has recognised the importance of early education and has committed to helping children access these services, no matter their parents’ work or study situation,” she said.

“The 3-Day Guarantee is a foundational component to achieving universal access to a comprehensive early childhood system, which is what Australia needs to achieve true change for children and families.”

The Front Project’s CEO Dr Caroline Croser-Barlow said the Activity Test has historically punished single mothers, casual workers and those looking for work.

“They had been trapped in a frustrating dilemma: unable to get childcare until they had a job, but unable to get a job until they had childcare,” she said.

“It unfairly tied a child’s access to early learning opportunities to their parents’ work situation, rather than the child’s developmental needs.”

Under the new arrangements;

• Families earning between $50,000 and $100,000 are expected to save $1,460 on average, per year.
• Around 67,000 families will benefit in the first full year.
• More than 100,000 families will be eligible for additional hours of subsidised care.
• Almost 40,000 parents will be able to return or increase their work, study or volunteering hours, if they choose to.

SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle said: “This is life-changing for thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, who previously couldn’t access enough or in some cases, any subsidsed care.

“Having better access to culturally safe, quality ECEC services means our children are supported from the start and are more likely to be developmentally ready for school.”

The Parenthood’s CEO Georgie Dent said: “While we welcome the extra investment in early childhood education, there is still more work to be done.

“We continue to urge the Federal Government to take an active role in ensuring the sector is providing high-quality, safe education and care in all parts of the country and continue to push for the establishment of a National Early Childhood Commission, as recommended by the Productivity Commission.

“Investing in our youngest citizens is a no-brainer. Making sure that investment results in safe and high-quality care is a must.”

In summary:

• All families will be eligible for at least 72 hours of subsidised ECEC per fortnight (3 days per week), regardless of their activity levels.
• Families can still get 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight if they meet activity requirements or have a valid exemption.
• Families caring for a First Nations child will be eligible for 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.

You can find more information on the changes here

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