NSW’s Start Strong Affordable Preschool fee relief program
The NSW Government introduced a preschool fee relief program for families in 2023: the Start Strong Affordable Preschool initiative. This initiative aims to deliver more affordable preschool to eligible children in the two years before school. The fee relief for long day care will continue into 2026, with updated relief amounts and eligibility categories.
For the most current program information, families may refer to the NSW Department of Education’s 2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care Guidelines.
How does the Start Strong fee relief program for Long Day Care services work?
From January 2026, families with children aged 4 years old on or before 31 July 2026 may access up to $2,563 (maximum rate) in preschool fee relief, while children aged 3 years old and not yet 4 years old on or before 31 July 2026 may access up to $769 (maximum rate).
Children who do not meet the maximum-rate criteria may be eligible for the standard rate: $1,783 for 4-year-olds and $423 for 3-year-olds.
The fee relief is provided as an annual allocation, distributed evenly across the calendar year and passed on to families as a fee reduction. A child will only receive fee relief for their enrolled period.
To understand the full 2026 program structure, you may visit the Start Strong for Long Day Care overview.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Start Strong Affordable Preschool fee relief program in 2026, a child will need to:
- be at least 3 years old on or before 31 July 2026 (fee relief of up to $423 or $769), or be at least 4 years old on or before 31 July 2026 (fee relief of up to $1,783 or $2,563);
- be enrolled in an eligible early childhood education program;
- not be receiving the fee relief for another service.
All NSW families are eligible regardless of citizenship or residency status. Start Strong funding is additional to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and does not affect CCS entitlements. Families can read more about CCS through Services Australia’s Child Care Subsidy information page.
Children may be eligible for the maximum rate if they meet specific equity criteria, such as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, attending a service in Regional or Remote NSW, being enrolled at a service in a SEIFA decile 1–2 area, or attending an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation.
Providers must meet program requirements to receive funding. Newly opened services may have their eligibility assessed by the Department of Education. Services pending confirmation of eligibility are:
How to access the preschool fee relief for 2026?
To claim the Start Strong Affordable Preschool fee relief, families must complete the Fee Relief Declaration and Consent Form, nominating the long day care centre where they will receive the fee relief. Your childcare centre will provide this form.
Families may only receive this fee relief from one approved childcare service at any time.
For guidance on the Start Strong program, families can refer to the Start Strong funding information on the NSW Department of Education website.
Benefits of attending Montessori Academy’s Preschool Program
Research shows that participation in a quality early childhood education program in the two years before school is linked to stronger learning outcomes, as well as improved social, cognitive, and emotional development. The Montessori Preschool Program is a structured, intentional program designed to help children build the foundational knowledge and skills they need to transition confidently to school.
Families can learn more about Montessori Academy’s preschool offering through the Montessori Preschool Program page.
To find a nearby centre and book a visit, please explore the Montessori Academy childcare locations page.
The Montessori Preschool Curriculum introduces children to advanced Montessori materials that support the development of independence, confidence, concentration, and problem-solving skills. Many families find that their children thrive in the Montessori environment. If you believe the Montessori Academy Preschool Program may be the right fit for your child, we encourage you to book a centre tour.
This page was last updated on 25 November 2025. Any changes to this initiative after this date may not be reflected. Please refer to the NSW Department of Education’s Start Strong updates for the latest information.