Family costs · New Zealand
Help with childcare costs
Childcare help in New Zealand comes from more than one agency. Tax credits, Work and Income subsidies and ECE fee reductions can overlap in confusing ways. This guide separates them so you can check the right pathway first.
- Official New Zealand sources
- Private · No account
Inland Revenue payments
These are claimed through Inland Revenue or myIR. They are separate from Work and Income childcare subsidies.
FamilyBoost
- Who
- Families with children in approved early childhood education who meet IRD eligibility rules.
- Why it matters
- Can refund part of eligible ECE fees through a tax credit. Different rules and claim windows from the Childcare Subsidy.
- Next step
- Check IRD claim periods, approved providers and how FamilyBoost fits with Working for Families.
Working for Families
- Who
- Families with dependent children, including many on low or middle incomes.
- Why it matters
- Can include Family Tax Credit and other components that help with the cost of raising children. Not a direct childcare fee subsidy.
- Next step
- Check which WFF components may apply for your household income and work status.
Fee help for childcare and early learning
Work and Income and the Ministry of Education reduce different costs. Check the source named on each item.
Childcare Subsidy
- Who
- Parents with approved childcare costs who meet Work and Income eligibility rules.
- Why it matters
- Can reduce weekly fees for eligible families using approved care while parents work, study or meet other MSD criteria.
- Next step
- Check current income limits, hours rules and what evidence Work and Income needs.
20 Hours ECE
- Who
- Children aged 3, 4 or 5 in early childhood education, until they start school.
- Why it matters
- Ministry of Education funding for up to 20 hours a week and 6 hours a day. It reduces fees at the service. It is not a Work and Income payment.
- Next step
- Confirm your ECE service offers 20 Hours ECE and which hours it covers.
OSCAR subsidy
- Who
- Families with school-age children in before- or after-school care or holiday programmes.
- Why it matters
- Helps with out-of-school care costs for eligible families once your child is at school.
- Next step
- Check that your OSCAR programme is approved and that you meet MSD income and activity rules.
How the pieces fit together
FamilyBoost and the Childcare Subsidy are different types of assistance. Some families may qualify for one, both, or neither depending on income, work and the type of care.
- FamilyBoost is a tax credit through Inland Revenue. The Childcare Subsidy is a weekly payment through Work and Income.
- 20 Hours ECE is about ECE fee reduction for 3- and 4-year-olds, not general babysitting or nanny costs.
- OSCAR applies to school-age out-of-school care, not ECE centres for preschoolers.
- Working for Families helps with the broader cost of children. It does not replace a childcare subsidy.
Not sure what applies?
Answer a few questions and MyEligible will suggest supports worth checking first.
Check benefits and supportsOfficial sources used for this guide
- Inland Revenue: FamilyBoost
- Inland Revenue: Working for Families
- Work and Income: Childcare Subsidy
- Ministry of Education: 20 Hours ECE
- Work and Income: OSCAR
Sources reviewed 2026-09-10. No guessed payment amounts.