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Great news! From 1st April 2024, more families now qualify for Childcare Assistance and the rates have increased for those already qualified. Income thresholds have increased and families will be able to claim up to $6.38 per child, per hour.

Work and Income’s Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) government subsidy is a payment for families who need help and support with the cost of school holiday programmes.

The subsidy is designed to make the cost of childcare more affordable for eligible families who can claim up to 50 hours per week for our exciting school holiday programmes, which can be especially helpful for working parents during the school holidays.

We’ll work with you and your local Work and Income office to ensure that the process for applying for and receiving an OSCAR subsidy is straightforward and stress-free.

WHO CAN GET THE OSCAR SUBSIDY?

You may qualify if...

You're the main carer of a dependent child
You're a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
Your family is on a low or middle income

You need to be...

Working, studying or on an approved training course
Involved in an activity that Work and Income has asked you to do
A shift worker who works nights
Seriously ill or disabled
Caring for a child in hospital or for a child you get the Child Disability Allowance for.
You can't get the OSCAR Subsidy if the child's other parent or caregiver can take care of the child.

The child needs to...

Normally live in New Zealand
Be at school
Be under 14
Be attending a Kelly Sports Holiday Programme for at least 3 hours a week.

SUBSIDY CALCULATOR

Find out how much your family could receive with the help of Work and Income’s subsidy calculator.

subsidy calculator

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much can I get?

When does it start from?

When should I apply?

Why choose a Kelly Sports OSCAR Programme?

Where do I get more info?

How to apply for your OSCAR Subsidy

Firstly

Request a client number from Work and Income (How to get a number)

Then

Then apply online through MyMSD. Work and Income will also check to see if you can get any other help from them based on the answers you give in your application. Or Download or ask your local Kelly Sports for an application form. Kelly Sports can assist with completing your application by filling in the childcare provider section. Once the form is complete it can be sent to Centralised_Childcare_Reviews@msd.govt.nz DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM

If you’re eligible, you will be granted the Childcare Subsidy from the date you first contact Work and Income, as long as you complete your application within 20 working days of that date.