The objective of the CCCF is to support child care services to address barriers to child care participation, particularly targeting disadvantaged and vulnerable families and communities.

The grant is for services at risk of closure due to financial viability issues resulting from:

• a local emergency, or
• another unexpected event which would result in a lack of suitable ECEC for the community.

Grants are targeted to services in disadvantaged or vulnerable communities. The aim is to provide continuity of care in these communities when unexpected events disrupt service delivery.

Funding helps services remain open so they can continue to support families in the community.

The grant is part of the Community Child Care Fund which helps services address barriers to ECEC participation.

Many factors influence whether a community is disadvantaged or vulnerable.

Your service may be eligible if it operates in, or services, an area:

• on the priority area list
• where we have declared a CCS period of emergency
• where there is no other suitable ECEC.

Funding Amount:  There is no minimum or maximum amount that you can apply for.

Eligibility

CCCF grants are for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) approved providers.

You may be eligible for a special circumstances grant if you operate a service that:

• is in, or provides care for, a disadvantaged or vulnerable community, and
• is at high risk of closing, temporarily or permanently, due to financial viability issues resulting from a local emergency, or
• is at high risk of closing permanently due to another unexpected circumstance and is the only suitable ECEC in the community, or
• requires financial assistance to open in a community where another service has closed and there is no other suitable ECEC.

In the case of a local emergency, you should apply after the event if:

• you are experiencing financial viability issues due to the event, and
• you have already accessed other available support, such as state and territory grants.

In all other cases, you should apply as early as possible.

• Phone: 1300 650 848
• Email: CCCFSpecialCircumstances@education.gov.au