Australian children eligible for three days of subsidised early education and child care from January 5Nathan SchmidtNewsWireSun, 4 January 2026 7:02PM
Australian children will be eligible for three days of subsidised early education and child care each week in a New Year’s boon for parents.
The Albanese government’s “3 Day Guarantee”, which comes into effect on Monday, aims to ensure every Australian child is eligible for subsidised early learning three times per week regardless of their parents’ occupation.
The reforms replace the former Coalition government’s Activity Test, which required parents to work or study to receive more than minimal subsidised care.
The government claims the reforms will give an additional 100,000 families access to subsidised learning.
“This is a guarantee of three days a week access to subsidised early education and care for the children who need it the most,” Education Minister Jason Clare said.
“No one blinks when you say every child has a right to go to school and government has a responsibility to help fund it.
“The same has got to be true today for early education and that’s what this is about.”
Families will still be eligible for 100 hours of subsidised child care each fortnight for each child if they are caring for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island child, have more than 48 hours each fortnight of recognised participation, or qualify for an exemption, such as living with a medical condition or disability.
Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh said too many children were being locked out of early education and care because of “their parents’ work or study activity”.
“Every child deserves access to quality early learning – no matter their postcode, or what their parents do for work,” she said.
The federal government has committed to investing about $430m over four years to deliver the 3 Day Guarantee.
A further $1bn has been promised to the Building Early Education Fund, to build or expand early learning services in areas of need, including in outer suburban and regional areas.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the reforms would provide working families “more choice” and delivered upon an election commitment.
“All of this is possible because of the progress we have made to get the Budget in better shape, finding savings and cutting wasteful spending, and paying down the Liberal debt so we are able to invest in the things that matter most.” he said.
Childcare and early education in Australia has been in the spotlight in recent months following a series of alleged high-profile abuse scandals.
The Albanese government has promised a series of reforms, including the establishment of a National Educator Register.
The NSW government, which has pledged to also go it alone on safety reforms, last year announced plans to invest in new public preschools in “childcare deserts”, typically remote and regional areas of the state.
Originally published as Australian children eligible for three days of subsidised early education and child care from January 5
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