Exciting Changes for Moranbah Families: The 3 Day Guarantee Explained

Starting 5 January 2026, Moranbah families eligible for the Child Care Subsidy will receive three guaranteed days of subsidised childcare every week, no matter your work or shift patterns. This change removes the tricky activity test that used to limit access, making early learning more reliable for mining and FIFO families across the Isaac Region. Read on to find out how the 3 Day Guarantee Moranbah can make a real difference for your family’s childcare needs.

What’s Changing for Moranbah Families

From 5 January 2026, every family that qualifies for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) will automatically receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. That’s three full days every week, guaranteed.

The biggest change is the removal of the activity test for this baseline entitlement. Currently, your subsidy hours depend on how much you work, study or volunteer. Soon, three days will be guaranteed regardless of your roster pattern.

Whether you’re on day shift, night shift, swing shift, FIFO, working part-time, studying, job hunting or at home, your child can access three days of subsidised early learning at Moranbah Early Learning Centre.

Who Benefits Most in the Isaac Region?

The 3 Day Guarantee Moranbah will make a real difference for:

  • FIFO workers and partners who previously struggled with the activity test

  • Mining families with variable rosters whose subsidy entitlement changes constantly

  • Partners of shift workers who aren’t currently employed

  • Casual workers whose hours vary week to week

  • Single parents managing limited work hours

  • Parents between jobs in Moranbah’s variable employment market

Real-World Impact for Mining Families

Consider one of our families with a parent on a rotating roster in the mines—7 days on, 7 days off, alternating between day and night shifts. Currently, calculating fortnightly activity test hours is complicated, and their subsidy entitlement fluctuates.

From January, they automatically get 72 hours per fortnight guaranteed. Their child can attend Moranbah Early Learning Centre three consistent days every week, regardless of which roster the parent is working, creating a stable routine with consistent friendships and less financial stress.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children

Families caring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children receive even more support: 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight—nearly five full days weekly.

This enhanced entitlement becomes available once you notify Services Australia through your Centrelink online account via myGov.

What If You Already Get More Than Three Days?

Good news—the 3 Day Guarantee doesn’t reduce anyone’s current entitlement.

If you already receive more than 72 hours because you meet higher activity levels, you keep everything you currently have. You can still access up to 100 hours per fortnight (five full days) if you meet the requirements.

Next Steps for Moranbah Families

For existing CCS recipients: Nothing at all! Services Australia will automatically update your entitlement.

To increase your days at Moranbah Early Learning Centre: Contact us on 07 4855 3130. Many Moranbah families will want to add days, so reach out soon to discuss availability.

Understanding Gap Fees

The 3 Day Guarantee increases your subsidised hours but doesn’t change your subsidy percentage or eliminate gap fees.

Your gap fee is still calculated based on your family income, not your work hours. But you’ll be accessing more hours for less money overall, even though gap fees still apply to each subsidised day.

Why Choose Moranbah Early Learning Centre?

With subsidised childcare Isaac Region is becoming more accessible, our centre offers:

  • Extended hours: Open 6:00am-6:00pm Monday-Friday to support shift workers

  • Large capacity: We accommodate 102 children daily across six generous rooms

  • Queensland-approved Kindergarten program with qualified teachers

  • All-inclusive care: We provide all meals, sun cream, and nappy wipes

  • Community focus: Strong connections to local families and schools

  • Understanding of shift work: We understand mining rosters and FIFO patterns

Contact Us About the Child Care Subsidy Changes 2026 Queensland

Questions about the early learning subsidy Moranbah, or want to discuss increasing days?

Moranbah Early Learning Centre
221-227 Mills Ave, Moranbah QLD 4744
Phone: 07 4855 3130
Email: enquiries@moranbahelc.com.au
Website: https://moranbahearlylearning.com.au/
Centre Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm

We’re here to help Moranbah and Isaac Region families access quality early learning for their children with affordable childcare that mining families can count on.

Understanding the 3 Day Guarantee

Photo created by AI. The 3 Day Guarantee marks a big shift in how families access early learning. This change puts children’s needs first, making sure they can get regular early education no matter what hours their parents work.

What Changes on 5 January 2026?

From 5 January 2026, your family gets 72 hours of subsidised care every fortnight. That’s three full days each week of early learning for your child.

The old activity test won’t apply to these three days. This means you don’t need to prove how many hours you work, study, or volunteer to get this basic level of support.

For many Moranbah parents, this removes a huge headache. You won’t need to track and report your changing work hours to keep your childcare subsidy. Three days are locked in, no matter what.

If you already qualify for more than three days based on your work hours, you’ll keep those extra days. This change only helps families – it doesn’t take away from anyone.

Who Benefits Most?

Mining families with rotating rosters will see the biggest impact. If you or your partner work shifts that change week to week, you know how hard it is to maintain consistent childcare.

Parents who work in the mines often face 7-on, 7-off schedules or night shifts. Under the old rules, these changing patterns made it tough to qualify for steady subsidised care. Now, your three days are guaranteed regardless of which shift block you’re working.

FIFO workers and their families gain stability, too. When one parent is away, the at-home parent can still access three subsidised days without meeting activity requirements.

Casual workers in Moranbah whose hours change based on demand won’t lose childcare access during quieter periods. Your child keeps their routine even when your work schedule changes.

Single parents juggling work and family commitments get breathing room. Three guaranteed days of early learning support make managing it all more doable.

Benefits for Moranbah Families

Photo created by AI. The 3 Day Guarantee brings real advantages to families across the Isaac Region. This policy recognises the unique challenges of living and working in mining communities like ours.

Early Learning Stability

Children thrive on routine, and the 3 Day Guarantee makes consistent early learning possible for every Moranbah child.

Your child can attend the same three days every week, building friendships with the same group of children. This regular schedule helps them develop social skills and confidence in a steady environment.

Teachers can plan better learning experiences when they know which children will be present each day. Your child won’t miss key parts of the program due to changing attendance patterns based on your work roster.

For children heading to Moranbah State School or Moranbah East State School in the future, this consistent early learning creates a stronger foundation. They’ll develop pre-reading, pre-writing, and social skills that make the transition to school smoother.

The stability extends to you too – knowing exactly which days your child attends each week makes family planning easier, even with complex mining rosters.

Financial Relief for Mining Families

The cost of living in Moranbah puts pressure on family budgets. The 3 Day Guarantee offers meaningful financial support through more predictable childcare costs.

Mining and FIFO families previously faced a frustrating situation: during weeks with fewer work hours, you might lose subsidy access exactly when you needed financial relief. The new guarantee stops this cycle by keeping your subsidy steady regardless of work patterns.

Let’s look at the numbers: If your child currently attends two days with only one subsidised, you might pay full fees ($120+) for the second day. With three subsidised days, you’ll only pay the gap fee (often $30-60 per day depending on your income) for all three days – potentially saving hundreds each fortnight.

During mine shutdowns or maintenance periods when shifts are reduced, your childcare subsidy remains intact. This removes financial stress during these already challenging times.

For families with two working parents in the mining sector, coordinating schedules becomes easier when you know your childcare is secured for three days every week, without complex activity test calculations.