Fees
Some OSCAR providers charge a flat fee and other providers charge a fee based on the hours of attendance of a child.
OSCAR provider charges a fee based on the attendance of a child
When an OSCAR provider charges a fee based on the hours attended by the child, we need to calculate the hourly fee.
To get an hourly fee, the weekly fee must be divided by the number of hours the child attends.
Example 1
Fee for attending | $50.00 |
Divided by hours attending each week | 20 hours |
Hourly fee equals | $2.50 |
The amount payable in this case is $2.50 per hour.
Example 2
Fee for attending | $350.00 |
Divided by hours attending each week | 50 hours |
Hourly fee equals | $7.00 |
The fee is higher than the maximum rate we can pay $6.72 (as at 1 April 2026). This client would be entitled to receive the maximum hourly rate of the subsidy.
We cannot pay out more than the maximum rate.
OSCAR provider charges a flat fee
If the OSCAR provider charges a flat fee, calculate the amount of OSCAR subsidy payable by dividing the provider's weekly fee by the number of hours the child is enrolled for.
Enrolled hours mean the number of hours the child is booked to attend the centre and the parent pays for, (whether or not the child attends).
Example 3
Step 1
Weekly OSCAR provider fee | $350.00 |
Divided by enrolled hours | 50 hours |
Hourly fee equals | $7.00 |
This fee is higher than the maximum rate payable. We can only pay the maximum rate.
Step 2
Maximum hourly rate payable | $6.72 (as at 1 April 2026) |
Multiply by eligible hours | 50 hours |
Weekly OSCAR subsidy equals | $336.00 |
Maximum subsidy paid per hour
We cannot pay out more than the maximum hourly rate.
Example if an OSCAR provider charges $7.00 per hour we can only pay out the current maximum hourly rate $6.72 (as at 1 April 2026).
For more information see:
- Deskfile OSCAR subsidy rates
Legislation
- Rates of childcare and OSCAR subsidies schedule 2 Social Security Regulations 2018
- Assistance to be no more than hourly fee payable regulation 24 Social Security Regulations 2018
