From January 2026, the Australian Government will make early learning more affordable for families with a new initiative called the 3 Day Guarantee.
This means every child in Australia will be able to attend up to 3 days of early learning each week with help from the Government to cover the cost – and families won’t need to meet any work or study requirements to qualify.
What this Means for Families
- Universal access to early learning: Every family, regardless of work or study hours, can access three days of subsidised care.
- Cost-of-living relief: Families can save thousands each year. For example, a family earning $90,000 could save over $11,000 annually.
- Extra support for First Nations children: Eligible families will continue to receive up to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
Families with higher activity levels or special circumstances can still qualify for up to 100 hours of subsidised care, while those earning over $533,280 remain ineligible.
Why this matters?
- Lower weekly fees and more certainty for your household budget.
- More time for children to learn, play and build school-readiness skills.
- Ensures the children who benefit most from early education can attend regularly.
Next steps…
If you’re considering Sparrow for your child, now’s a great time to book a tour and explore your options ahead of 2026 – availability will vary by centre.
If you’re already part of the Sparrow community, chat with your Service Manager about what this change means for your family and your current booking pattern.