Fees

Kindergarten program providers charge fees to supplement the funding they receive from the Queensland Government under the Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme.

Under the funding scheme, kindergarten program providers are required to establish a fee structure that does not create a barrier for families to access the program and is sustainable for the service. A child's participation in a kindergarten program provided at a long day care service will not affect a family's eligibility for the Child Care Benefit or Child Care Rebate available from the Australian Government. Parents whose children are participating in a kindergarten program at a long day care service should not expect to pay more for their child's participation than they would if the child was attending the centre as usual (without the kindergarten program).

Each service is responsible for setting their own fees. It is recommended that parents contact kindergarten program providers directly to find out about their fee structure.

Families who hold a Health Care Card may also be eligible for additional funding to reduce their kindergarten fees. To find out if you are eligible for this kindy fee relief subsidy, contact your local approved kindergarten program provider.

Parents whose children are participating in a kindergarten program at a long day care service should not expect to pay any more for their child's participation than they would if the child was attending the centre as usual (without the kindergarten program).

Also a child's participation in a kindergarten program provided at a long day care service will not affect a family's eligibility for the Child Care Benefit or Child Care Rebate available from the Australian Government.

All approved kindergarten service providers should have their fee information including structure and inclusions displayed at their centre and on their website. Parents should look for the service's Funded Kindergarten Program Statement of Fees form.

Approved kindergarten program providers, including long day care services and community and school-based kindergarten services, are eligible to receive government funding. The funding is provided to the kindergarten program provider, rather than families, to assist in offsetting the cost of implementing and operating a kindergarten program..

Low-income families, regardless of where their child attends an approved kindergarten program, are eligible for low or no-cost kindy. The subsidy can be claimed when a family, including foster carers, or a kindy-age child holds a valid Health Care Card or current Australian Government Pension Concession card with automatic Health Care Card entitlements. Families should present their current Health Care Card or equivalent, or formal communication such as a letter from the relevant agency stating the intention to issue a Health Care Card, to their Queensland Government-approved kindergarten program provider to claim their entitlement. The Health Care Card should be presented and a copy kept by the service.

For more information about eligibility for Concession and Health Care Cards, visit Centrelink's website .

Families with multiple births of three or more kindy-aged children are also eligible for the same reduced kindy costs as Health Care Care holders. Proof of date of birth for these children is required to access the subsidy.

Kindergarten fee relief for families with multiple births of three or more kindy-aged children who are attending kindergarten in the same year is available for each child at the same rate that is applied to Health Care Card holders.

Proof of date of birth for these children is required to access the subsidy. For example you may be asked to provide copies of birth certificates, statutory declarations, passports or other Government issued documentation stating the date of birth for your children.

An approved kindergarten program provider can claim the Health Care Card subsidy on families' behalf if presented with formal communication such as a letter from the relevant agency confirming eligibility for a Health Care Card. Parents will need to present the Health Care Card to their service provider when they receive it, and a copy kept by the service.