Childcare in Canberra 2026: Find Quality LDC & Preschool

Childcare and Kindergartens in Canberra 2026

Canberra has one of Australia's highest average household incomes and a large public service workforce, which shapes the city's childcare market. Demand is strong, particularly in areas near government employment hubs (Civic, Barton, Parkes) and in family-heavy growth areas like Gungahlin, Molonglo Valley and Tuggeranong. education.act.gov.au/early-childhood

Types of Childcare in Canberra

• Long Day Care (LDC), Canberra has high average childcare fees compared to most Australian cities. Typical daily rates: $135-$185 before subsidy. Waitlists of 6-18 months are common at quality centres in Gungahlin, Belconnen and Inner North.
• ACT Government Preschool, free part-time preschool for 4-year-olds at ACT public schools (15 hours/week, 40 weeks/year). Enrolment is through the ACT Education Directorate. education.act.gov.au
• Family Day Care, available across all Canberra districts. The ACT has approved family day care networks operating across Belconnen, Gungahlin, Woden, Tuggeranong and Inner North. familydaycare.com.au
• Outside School Hours Care (OSHC), before/after school and vacation care widely available at ACT public and private primary schools. CCS eligible. servicesaustralia.gov.au

Child Care Subsidy in Canberra

Canberra families access the federal CCS via myGov. Given Canberra's higher incomes, some families fall into lower CCS subsidy tiers, check the income-tested rates at servicesaustralia.gov.au.

Find Childcare in Canberra

Search all approved Canberra childcare services at childcarefinder.gov.au. Register on multiple waitlists well ahead of your planned start date.

This article was compiled by AI and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.