Childcare Subsidies in New Zealand

This guide explains what types of childcare subsidies are available, who is eligible and how you can maximise all the government-subsidised childcare support. We also list frequently asked questions to help you make your entitlements go further.

Updated 31 July 2022

Summary

Raising a child is not cheap, especially when it comes to childcare. However, the New Zealand government has several schemes to assist new parents with childcare costs.
Childcare subsidies have often been complicated to understand as eligibility criteria varies.

Our guide covers:
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Know This First: What are the two main types of childcare subsidies in New Zealand?

Two main childcare subsidies are available in New Zealand. Please note, each programme has varying eligibility criteria (explained below). It’s important to note that the subsidies will typically not overlap, meaning if you are claiming one of these subsidies for a certain amount of time, you cannot claim the same amount of time from the other subsidies. However, getting both of these subsidies is possible in certain circumstances. We summarise the two subsidies below:

1. “The Childcare Subsidy” - this is for New Zealanders earning below a certain threshold and requiring additional help with childcare costs. For example, if you’re on low earnings, you may be able to receive a Childcare subsidy for up to 9 hours of preschool childcare a week, and in certain situations, you can get up to 50 hours a week.

Work and Income New Zealand administers the Childcare Subsidy programme. The early childhood programme you use must be registered with Work and Income to receive the benefit. You can see the current rates paid here (presented as per hour and per 50 hour week).

2. “20 Hours Early Childhood Education (ECE)” - this is a childcare programme that applies to all New Zealanders regardless of income or financial situation. "20 Hours ECE" is designed to make early childhood education more viable for New Zealand families. If your baby is three, four or five years old, you can get up to 20 hours per week of subsidised early childhood training supplied by the Ministry of Education.

Your child needs to be enrolled with an ECE provider listed by the Ministry of Education to qualify for the 20 hours of ECE. You can find the list of accredited ECE providers here. You can find more information on how to apply for this subsidy or read more about the programme here.

1. The Childcare Subsidy

More Details: Childcare Subsidies

Basics of the Childcare Subsidy: The New Zealand Childcare Subsidy is a programme that helps households reduce the burden of preschool childcare. Unlike the 20 hours ECE programme, the childcare subsidy considers household incomes. The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has established an online questionnaire to determine your eligibility for a Childcare Subsidy. Visit the tool here for more information.

What are the eligibility requirements to get the childcare subsidy?
You may get Childcare Subsidy if:

You're the child’s main carer, and
You're a permanent resident, or you’re a New Zealand citizen, and
Your household is on a low/middle income, and
You typically stay in New Zealand and intend to remain here.

Additionally, there is a requirement that your child is:

Under five years of age, or
Over five if they're going to a cohort entry school, or
Under six if you get a Child Disability Allowance for them.

Finally, the child must attend an accepted early childhood programme for 3+ hours a week.

How many hours can I get paid for on the Childcare Subsidy?

A Childcare Subsidy is usually paid for up to 9 hours of childcare a week if you're no longer working, studying or training. You may also be in a position to get up to 50 hours a week if you are in one of these situations:

Working, studying or on a permitted education course
Involved in a job that Work and Income has requested you to do
A shift employee who works nights
Seriously sick or disabled
Caring for a baby in the hospital or a baby getting Disability Allowance.

Important: It's important to note that in most cases, you can't get the Childcare Subsidy for greater than 9 hours a week if the other parent/caregiver can care for them. Therefore, the provision for more than 9 hours above is typically for people that do not have any other option.

How much can I get from the childcare subsidy?

How amount you can get varies depending on:

How many people in your family
Your household income
The number of hours your child goes to the childcare provider per week.

Important: Childcare support begins from the day the childcare begins. All subsidies are paid directly to the childcare provider. You can see the current rates paid here (presented as per hour and per 50 hour week).

How can I apply to get a childcare subsidy?

It’s recommended to apply for the childcare subsidy a minimum of three to four weeks before you would like your subsidy to start. If you’re applying for just the childcare subsidy, you will need fill out the childcare assistance form here.
The expected childcare provider must also fill out a section on the form. Email this (along with any other relevant documents) to MSD’s childcare email address here or contact Work and Income to do this for you.
If you’re applying for the main childcare subsidy alongside other childcare payments, you can do this through MyMSD here. Work and Income will review the application and see what other assistance you’re eligible for based on the responses in your application.

2. ECE

More Information: 20 hours ECE

Basics of ECE: If your infant is three, four or five years of age, you can get 20 Hours of ECE when you enrol your infant at an ECE-eligible provider. You can select which hours you'd like the programme to take up. It can be for any hours your infant is enrolled at the ECE provider (for up to six hours a day).
An attestation will be required to be eligible, where you document and record the days and hours you’re claiming as 20 Hours ECE. 20 Hours ECE can't be claimed until you have completed the attestation.

Most of the time, children attend primary school between the ages of five and six. Generally, all children from age six must attend primary school in New Zealand. The 20 hours ECE programme has been designed to bridge the gap between the infant years (zero to three years old) and primary school years (six years old onwards). As such, the last day of the 20 hours ECE programme is one day before a child’s sixth birthday.

Managing ECE - What You Need to Know:

Selecting different ECE hours

It’s important to notify the Ministry of Education (MoE) of any changes made to the structure of the ECE hours, such as the ECE hours or days taken. Specifically, the Ministry of Education will want to know if the hours and days of ECE taken or the ECE provider differs from the structure filled out on the attestation form. Examples include whether your child is not attending the ECE provider or attends another ECE provider for a significant period.
The MoE requires this information to ensure that parents are getting the right amount of hours per week and that there are no administrative complications that mean some parents don’t get the full benefits of 20 hours of ECE. Make sure to document the new ECE enrolment structure (such as how many hours and days your child will be at the ECE provider) when notifying the MoE of any changes.

Extra fees

While 20 hours of ECE may not be completely free, the ECE-eligible provider cannot increase fees on the 20 hours protected by the programme. However, the ECE provider can charge you for hours that are not protected (any childcare provided above and beyond the weekly 20-hour limit).
So, for example, if your toddler is at an ECE provider for seven hours, and the maximum daily ECE hours eligible is six hours, the ECE provider can add additional standard costs for the one hour above the threshold.

Optional charges

An ECE provider can ask you to pay non-obligatory charges or ask for donations. You are not legally required to pay for these charges, but many of these payments will go toward improving the quality of the ECE provider’s services. It is up to you whether you pay these charges or not.

Frequently Asked Questions (specific to the 20 Hours ECE)

ECE is designed to be straightforward but that's not always the case. To help make things clearer, we've listed a number of common queries to help you know how to get the most of your entitlement.

My ECE provider is shutting down for the school holidays, but I want to keep the same hours of ECE for that period. What can I do?

If your child’s ECE provider closes for the school holidays, you can use the 20 Hours ECE at any other ECE provider that hasn’t closed for the school holidays.

Are the 20 hours of ECE dependent on how much I make? Is it income-tested?

Regardless of how much parent(s) are earning, New Zealanders are eligible for up to 20 hours of ECE for a maximum period of 6 hours a day. Eligibility for 20 hours of ECE doesn't change depending on whether one or both parents return to work.

Is the 20 hours ECE programme free? Why is ECE still so expensive?

The "20 Hours Free ECE" programme, introduced in 2007, was initially intended to provide free childcare for 20 hours. However, this changed in 2009 when the programme was renamed "20 Hours ECE". The 20 hours ECE programme ensures that you are not charged additional or excessive fees, but these hours may still have associated costs. Without these subsidies, the costs charged by early childhood services could be significantly higher. The cost of these services varies and will depend on the location and quality of the early childhood service.

I work a lot more than 20 hours - what if I need more than 20 hours of ECE?

If you're working 20 hours a week or more, you may require more than 20 hours of ECE. For those that need above the 20 hours ECE provided, you may qualify for extra hours (which are subsidised by Work and Income). In addition, depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for up to 30 hours of subsidy above your 20 ECE hours (through the Childcare Subsidy).
Your eligibility for additional hours will be considered when you apply for your general application through WINZ. For more information, contact Work and Income here.

Are the 20 hours of ECE flexible?

Somewhat. Most childcare centres will have a set schedule of classes so families can pick and choose the classes that best fit the family's unique situation. For example, some families schedule early classes, while others work evening shifts and require evening classes.

What sort of facilities is eligible under the ECE programme?

The approved list of programmes is predominantly early childhood schooling and care services, such as kindergartens, preschools, education centres and childcare centres. Daycare for infants is not covered.

I already have an ECE Provider, but I’m not currently getting the 20 hours. What can I do?

If your child is already attending an ECE provider and you're paying full price, ask them if they provide 20 hours of ECE. If they don’t, you can identify an eligible ECE provider through this link here.
Childcare costs are subsidised once a child hits three years old, and the costs will go back to regular pricing when your child reaches the age of six (or when your toddler starts primary school, whichever occurs first).

I want my child to attend multiple ECE centres. How do I get the subsidy for both?

When you first sign up for 20 hours of ECE, the form will ask you to declare the specific days and hours to which the programme will apply. This schedule is flexible, and you can pick the best days/hours that work for you. However, there is a maximum cap per day of six hours and a maximum per week of 20 hours. Therefore, if your child goes to multiple ECE providers, so long as you don't exceed the maximum caps, you can divide the hours as you see fit (and as you outlined in the initial application form).

Can I get 20 hours of ECE and the childcare subsidy?

Families getting 20 hours ECE can’t get the Childcare Subsidy for the same hours, but getting both 20 hours ECE and the childcare subsidy may be possible.
Sometimes, you can get a combination of the Childcare Subsidy and 20 Hours of ECE. Getting both programmes can occur if your Childcare Subsidy exceeds 20 hours a week. For example, if you're entitled to 30 hours of Childcare Subsidy and declare 20 Hours ECE, you may want to acquire the Childcare Subsidy for an additional 10 hours. However, the Childcare Subsidy can't be used for the same hours as 20 Hours ECE.
Ultimately, it will depend on your eligibility for both programmes separately. The best action is to speak to a Work and Income officer in charge of the childcare subsidy. Additionally, check the terms outlined in the agreements of the 20 hours ECE for more clarification.

Are 20 hours of ECE income tested? What about the childcare subsidy?

No - the 20 hours ECE is available to any child between three to five enrolled in an early childhood service registered by the MSD. On the other hand, the childcare subsidy is income-tested. For more information, please see the above summary sections.

Why does the government have the 20 hours ECE programme? Why is the ECE programme only up to 20 hours a week?

The rationale for a 20 Hours ECE programme is to give young children a strong foundation in education and learning. In addition, 20 Hours ECE incentivises parents to support their child's learning.
The 20-hour target is set to ensure consistent participation in high-quality ECEs. If the childcare programme is not intense enough (e.g. for not enough hours each week), children do not reap a big enough benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions - General Childcare Subsidies

What’s the difference between a childcare subsidy and 20 hours ECE? Are they the same thing?

The childcare subsidy and the 20 hours ECE are different programmes with different eligibility requirements.
The 20 hours ECE is intended to provide all new parents with support in early childhood education from the child’s age of three to five, regardless of income levels or situation. The childcare subsidy specifically targets families needing additional assistance.
ECE applies to everyone, while the other only applies to a specific set of families.

What happens if our circumstances change that impacts my child's situation? For example, will we still get to keep our childcare assistance?

The childcare subsidy is normally reviewed at regular intervals. Significant events are likely to trigger a review, such as:

The next day after your job/course ends
After 12 weeks, if you end work due to health reasons or injury
When your child reaches a certain age outside the eligibility for the subsidy
When your child leaves the childcare programme
If the child is no longer in your care.

Know This: When your financial/family situation changes, work and income require you to notify them as these changes could impact the payments you're receiving. These can include whether you/your partner's income changes or the number of hours you work/study changes, whether your child moves to childhood programmes, whether your child stops attending for some time or starts/stops receiving 20 hours ECE.

Which one is easier to receive? Twenty hours ECE or the childcare subsidy?

Generally, the 20 hours ECE will be much easier to receive and has less administration associated with the application process compared to the childcare subsidy. The 20 hours ECE form is easy to fill out and does not require extensive conversations with Work and Income like the childcare subsidy, given it is not income-tested. Typically, the application process is managed and completed through the ECE provider.

What Other Subsidies are Available Besides the Childcare Subsidy or the 20 hours ECE?

There are two other main subsidies that specific New Zealanders can qualify for:

1. Guaranteed Childcare Assistance Payment (GCAP)

This programme may apply to your situation if you’re studying full-time (or work-based learning) and under 20 years of age with a toddler under five. In that case, you may also be able to get the Guaranteed Childcare Assistance Payment.

2. Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) Subsidy

If you're on a lower income and have children aged five to thirteen years old, you may also be eligible to apply for the OSCAR subsidy to assist with the cost of school holiday care and before/after-school care.
Your household earnings must be below a certain level to qualify for the OSCAR subsidy. You can't obtain the subsidy if your partner is in a position to take care of them for the duration you’re studying or working (similar to the Childcare Subsidy above), except in exceptional circumstances. The subsidy is paid immediately through WINZ to the care provider.
You can apply for the OSCAR subsidy online. You can download the application form from the Work and Income site here or get a physical copy from your closest Work and Income centre. More data about OSCAR is on the Work and Income website.

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