Guaranteed Childcare Assistance Payment

If you're under 20 and in full-time education, training or work-based learning, you may be able to get the Guaranteed Childcare Assistance Payment (GCAP) to assist with the cost of childcare.

Who can get it

You may be able to get GCAP if you're:

  • getting a Young Parent Payment (or 16–19 and included as a partner of a specified beneficiary)
  • in full-time education, training or work-based learning
  • the main caregiver for a child aged either:
    • under 5, or
    • over 5 if the school has advised they can't start until the beginning of the term straight after their fifth birthday.

Or, if you're not on a benefit, and:

  • under 18
  • attending secondary school full-time
  • the main caregiver for a child aged either:
    • under 5, or
    • over 5 if the school has advised they can't start until the beginning of the term straight after their fifth birthday
  • either living with, and supported by your parents or guardian, or married or in a civil union or de facto relationship.

If you have a partner, in order to receive GCAP there needs to be a good reason why your partner can’t provide childcare. For example, your partner is studying, working or actively seeking work.

Approved programmes

Approved programmes include licensed early childhood education and care services, eg:

  • kindergartens and preschools
  • childcare centres and creches
  • playcentres and playgroups
  • Kohanga Reo, Punanga Reo, Aoga and other programmes with a language and culture focus
  • approved home-based care.

Check if you can get GCAP

To find out if you could get Guaranteed Childcare Assistance Payment and what else you might qualify for, use our 'Check what you might get' tool.

 
Check what you might get

GCAP covers the actual childcare service costs, up to $6.38 an hour and up to 50 hours a week for each child and can be paid for the hours you're:

  • in full-time education, training or work-based learning (including travel time)
  • working part-time (for up to 15 hours a week)
  • meeting your youth activity obligations, if you have them (eg attending a parenting course).
Young Parent Payment activity obligations

GCAP is usually paid straight to the early childhood centre or service.

You can't get both GCAP and the Childcare Subsidy for the same child.

GCAP can't be paid for an informal carer. If you need help with the costs of informal childcare, check to see if you can get Flexible Childcare Assistance:

Flexible Childcare Assistance

20 Hours Early Childhood Education

You can only get GCAP for the same hours you're getting 20 Hours Early Childhood Education (ECE) if:

  • your child is at a home-based educator, and
  • the home-based educator is charging a top up payment for the same hours as 20 Hours ECE.

Home-based educators may charge you a top up payment to cover the difference between their normal hourly rate and the 20 Hours ECE.

20 Hours ECE - Ministry of Education

Optional charges and donations

You can’t get GCAP for optional charges and donations requested by your childcare provider.

Term breaks (including Christmas holidays)

If you are still eligible for GCAP after a term break, it can be paid to ensure your child retains their place at the childcare centre.

Absences

GCAP will continue to be paid (if an absence fee is charged) if you or your child is temporarily sick or away.

How you apply depends on what payments you’re already getting from us.

If you need help, talk to your Youth Service provider if you have one, or contact us.

Find a Youth Service provider
Contact us

We can grant you the financial assistance you’re entitled to from the date you first contact us if you complete your application within 20 working days of that date.

You’re not getting any payments from us

If you're not getting any payments from us, you can either:

  • apply online through MyMSD, or
  • fill out a paper application form.

Apply online

You can apply online through MyMSD. We'll also check to see if you can get any other help from us based on the answers you give in your application.

Apply online
The online application process

Fill out paper application form

linksGuaranteed Childcare Assistance Payment Application Form (PDF 1.09MB)

If you can’t print out the form we can send one to you, or you can complete it when you come in to see us.

You can get your application form and supporting documents to us by either:

  • dropping them in to your nearest service centre
  • posting them to your nearest service centre, or
  • uploading them to MyMSD (you'll need to call us first).
Find a service centre
Types of documents we accept

Already getting payments from us

If you're already getting payments from us, eg, Young Parent Payment, you can complete a paper application form.

linksGuaranteed Childcare Assistance Payment Application Form (PDF 1.09MB)

If you can’t print out the form we can send one to you, or you can complete it when you come in to see us.

You can get your application form and supporting documents to us by either:

  • dropping them in to your nearest service centre
  • posting them to your nearest service centre, or
  • uploading them to MyMSD (you'll need to call us first).
Find a service centre
Types of documents we accept

Related

Help with childcare costs
Manuals and procedures
Find a childcare provider
20 Hours Early Childcare Education
Childcare Subsidy

Contact

This information is a guide only.

Contact your Youth Service provider if you have one, otherwise contact us to talk about your individual circumstances.