New ACCS child wellbeing checklists aim to help providers avoid application delays

Updated Australian Government guidance gives ECEC providers practical checks for eligibility, certificates, determinations and third-party evidence.

The Australian Government Department of Education has updated its Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) child wellbeing guidance, adding checklists to help early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers prepare complete applications.

The department says applications are commonly delayed because evidence does not meet minimum requirements or required records have not been provided. Its updated pages bring together guidance on applying for ACCS child wellbeing, issuing a certificate, seeking a determination and obtaining third-party evidence.

ACCS child wellbeing helps with the cost of ECEC when a child needs wellbeing support. Providers apply on behalf of families. The resources give staff a way to check the relevant details before submitting an application, rather than waiting for missing information to be identified later.

The department’s how-to-apply guide asks providers to establish eligibility before preparing an application. This includes checking the family’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) circumstances, whether a CCS claim has been lodged, the required customer reference numbers and whether the child meets the ACCS child wellbeing criteria.

Providers must also speak with the family before applying. The department’s guidance on talking with families is a useful companion to the application checklist, particularly where staff need to explain the subsidy and the information required to support an application.

These checks matter because an application can involve several connected records: family and child details, enrolment arrangements, consent, observations and supporting evidence. Reviewing them together gives a provider an opportunity to find missing or inconsistent information before submission.

A provider can use a child wellbeing certificate to give an eligible family immediate access to ACCS child wellbeing for up to six weeks. The decision to issue a certificate rests with the provider, which must check eligibility and speak with the family first.

The certificate checklist takes staff through the information to confirm. It covers the CCS claim and customer reference numbers, the child’s enrolment arrangement, recorded family consent, observations, supporting evidence and referrals where applicable. It also prompts providers to check the child’s name and the certificate’s start and end dates before issuing it through the Provider Entry Point or third-party software.

The checklist includes additional steps for applications involving exceptional circumstances. Providers considering those provisions should use the department’s detailed guidance rather than assuming the ordinary certificate process covers every situation.

If a child continues to need wellbeing support beyond a certificate period or an existing determination, a provider can apply for a child wellbeing determination. Services Australia assesses determination applications.

The determination checklist prompts providers to apply early where ongoing support is needed. It covers referral requirements, family consent, third-party evidence and the child’s details. It also asks providers to check the proposed dates against the previous certificate or determination to avoid a gap in ACCS eligibility.

Determinations require particular attention to evidence. Depending on the child’s circumstances, providers may need information from an appropriate organisation or professional independent of the service. The department’s determination guidance explains the requirements for different circumstances and how providers can apply through their software.

The third-party evidence checklist is designed for case managers, health professionals, educators, community organisations and other relevant support services preparing information for an ACCS child wellbeing application.

It asks the person providing evidence to identify themselves and their organisation, give current and factual information based on their knowledge or professional involvement, and explain the child’s circumstances and need for wellbeing support. It also prompts a final check that supporting letters are signed and dated.

For providers, sharing this checklist before requesting a supporting letter may help the author include the details needed for assessment. Services can also print the checklists for staff who prepare applications and use them as a final review before submission.

The checklists do not replace the eligibility rules or the department’s full guidance. They offer a practical way to work through those requirements so families seeking support are less likely to face avoidable delays. All four resources are available through the department’s ACCS child wellbeing application pages.