Dealing with Work and Income
Childcare costs
Help with children’s ongoing disability costs (Child Disability Allowance)
Can I get the Child Disability Allowance?
Social Security Act 2018, ss 17, 78–83, Sched 4
You can get the Child Disability Allowance if you’re a caregiver for a child who has a physical or mental disability, and who needs attention and supervision over and above what’s typical for a child of the same age (sometimes called “constant care and attention”). The disability must be permanent or likely to last for more than a year. You’ll need a health practitioner to confirm that you qualify for the allowance.
The Child Disability Allowance isn’t income or asset tested, and so even people on very high incomes can get it. This allowance is paid into your bank account every two weeks and is paid separately from any other assistance you may get.
You can be approved to receive the Child Disability Allowance for one or more years up until your child turns 18. Depending on the medical information provided by your health practitioner, Work and Income will decide if and how often your child’s medical condition needs to be reassessed.
You might also be able to get the Disability Allowance for your child (see: “Help with ongoing disability costs: Disability Allowance”). Once your child turns 16, they may be eligible for Supported Living Payment.
Childcare assistance
Social Security Act 2018, ss 17, 76, 77, Sched 4 Social Security Regulations 2018, regs 20–49
Below are a number of ways you can get help with childcare costs for pre-school and school-aged children.
20 hours ECE for children aged 3 to 5
If you have a child aged 3 to 5 who isn’t enrolled in primary school, you can get up to 6 hours a day of childcare up to 20 hours per week. This is paid directly to registered early-childhood education (“ECE”) services (such as daycare centre, kōhanga reo, playcentre, kindergarten home-based education).
You can get this payment regardless of your income or residency status. You can receive both the 20 hours ECE and the Childcare Subsidy (see below) but not for the same hours.
Childcare Subsidy for pre-schoolers
If you have a pre-schooler, you might be eligible for the Childcare Subsidy. This is paid directly to registered ECE centres.
You can get nine hours of childcare a week if you’re a beneficiary and the main caregiver for your child.
You can get up to 50 hours of childcare a week if:
- you’re working part-time or are in training or some other approved activity, and your partner (if you have one) is also in work, training or another approved activity or is unable to care for the child for some good reason, or
- you have a serious disability or illness (as shown by a medical certificate) and your partner (if you have one) is in work, training or another approved activity or is unable to care for the child for some good reason, or
- you’re receiving a Child Disability Allowance for the child, or
- you’re also the main caregiver for another child who is in hospital or for whom a Child Disability Allowance is being paid.
This is paid until your child is 5 years and 4 weeks, at which point they are expected to be able to go to school. However, some schools only accept new entrants in groups at the start or middle of the term, so the pre-school subsidy can be extended until the next entrance date (up to age 6 at the latest).
If you are also receiving the Child Disability Allowance for your child, this subsidy will be paid until your child is 6.
Guaranteed Childcare Assistance Payment for young parents with a pre-schooler
You can get up to 50 hours per week of childcare paid for if:
- you’re still at school, or doing full-time study or work-based learning, and
- you have a pre-schooler, and
- you’re under 18, or you’re under 20 and receiving a benefit.
Early Learning Payment for families in Family Start or Early Start Programmes
If your family is enrolled in selected Family Start or Early Start Programmes, you can get:
- up to 20 hours of childcare costs if your child is between 18 months and 30 months, or
- up to 15 hours of childcare costs if your child is between 30 months and 3 years old.
OSCAR subsidy for school-aged children
You can get up to 20 hours per week of after-school activities for kids at school and up to 50 hours per week for a school holiday programme.
To qualify, you must be below a certain income threshold, and be in paid employment or taking an approved training or course.
Flexible Childcare Assistance
You can get a set amount of money to cover the cost of informal childcare arrangements. The amount you get increases with the number of children in your care. This assistance is paid directly to you.
To qualify, you must be:
- be the principal caregiver of a dependent child under 14, and
- likely to need a benefit for a long time if you don’t get this assistance
- in or starting a job that involves working at least 3 hours when you can’t access formal childcare, for example childcare centres are closed
You can receive this payment for a maximum of 52 weeks after the payment starts.
