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Childcare Costs Perth 2026: Fees & Finding Places
Perth childcare guide 2026: long day care costs ($100-$190/day), kindergarten options for 4-year-olds, how the Child Care Subsidy works in WA.
How we reported this
Childcare and Kindergarten in Perth 2026
Perth has a well-developed childcare market. Western Australia has a specific structure, kindergarten in WA is for 4 year olds (the year before Pre-primary), and Pre-primary is the year before Year 1 (which roughly aligns with what other states call Prep/Kindergarten). education.wa.edu.au
Types of Childcare in Perth
- Long day care: Centre-based care, typically 6:30am-6:30pm, for children 0-5
- Family day care: Registered home-based carer
- Kindergarten (WA): For 4 year olds in the year before Pre-primary, available at public primary schools, community kindergartens and private centres
- Pre-primary: The year before Year 1, for children turning 5 by June 30 of the school year
What Does Childcare Cost in Perth 2026?
- Long day care daily fee: $100-$190/day in Perth, moderately priced relative to Sydney and Melbourne
- Family day care: $70-$120/day
- WA Kindergarten: Public school kindergartens in WA are government-funded at 15 hours/week at no cost for eligible 4 year olds
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
The CCS is available to eligible Perth families for long day care and family day care. Apply through myGov/Centrelink. servicesaustralia.gov.au
How to Find Childcare in Perth
Use startingblocks.gov.au to search. Popular Perth suburbs (Subiaco, Mount Lawley, Fremantle, South Perth, Cottesloe, Nedlands) have competitive demand for quality centres.
This article was compiled by AI and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.