Does anyone know what childcare benefit tops out at?

[Matryoshka]

I'm trying to understand the Childcare benefit (its not what i want, but i have to apply for it to access another scheme). It says its income tested, so i guess this means, the rebate you get per hour is less the higher your income?

Does anyone know what the income/salary would be where you wouldn't receive or be eligible for any CCB? for instance, say you earned over $100k, would you get any CCB?

I've spoken to centrelink, not very helpful, and i just don't want to go through all the paperwork if theres no point.

[~me~]

Over $100k you would still be entitled to a certain amount. With two kids I think the income limit is $136k. You also do not have to claim it straight away you can wait till end of financial year once your tax has been submitted for it to be calculated and receive it in one lump sum.
Are you talking about Childcare Benefit or Childcare Tax rebate? As the tax rebate is not income tested but capped at about $7000.
If you look at the family assistance website they have the rates on their and you can also do a rate estimator without having to login or register.
Go to familyassist dot gov dot au and click on the Childcare Benefit link.

[*Ali*]

I just had a look on the website and it says for 2 children the income limit is $136, 375
If you go to the online services there is actualley a calculator for child care benefit- it will give you a percentage of CCB.

Then basically the percentage you get- say for eg is 35%, it means they will pay 35% of the scheduled $3.60 per hour.

So if for eg. your fees are $60 per day would would pay 65% of 3.60 per hour for 12 hours (usually what a full day is set down for) so $2.34 x 12 = $28.80
Plus you would also pay the difference between the $43.20 (govt schedule fee of $3.60 per hour for 12 hours) and the $60 the daycare charges for a full day- which is $16.80.
Therefor your total per child per day would be $28.80 + 16.80= $45.60

I hope thats not too confusing, and helps a little.

[Matryoshka]

Thanks for that, i've really been struggling to understand the system.

So Ali... for me to put 2 kids in a daycare it would be about $90 out of my pocket on the day?

Is $3.60 the average rate? and if you get CCB you get a percentage back? not on the day but at tax time??

[Trillian]

With the percentage amount that is immediate. I have a % of 34.08 and the other day I paid $30 and x cents on the day, but the 50% for the rebate is only claimable each quarter, so you have to wear that cost for 3 months. I think it is quarterly isn't it?

[Matryoshka]

is what you are saying, that you pay full child care fees upfront, but later on, get back a percentage of what you paid?

What i'm actually applying for is in-home child care, which is a little different, and a short term scheme for people with a disability or hardship. But i have to go through the application for CCB even though i won't be ever using an out of the home child care centre..... if that makes sense?

[Trillian]

You still need your CCB% and the rebate amount for any type of care you choose. So yes, you pay for it all upfront, minus your CCB% (which will vary from person to person) and then you claim back the childcare rebate later, which is where you get up to 50% back on those costs.