How Much Does Before & After School Care Cost in Perth?

Before & after school care costs in Perth average ranges from $22 and $40 per session before the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). For many families, the subsidy significantly reduces the amount they pay out of pocket, making quality outside school hours care more affordable than expected. The exact fee depends on factors such as the provider, booking type, location, and the services included. 

In this article, you'll find current 2026 Perth pricing, estimated weekly costs, how CCS affects your final bill, extra fees to watch for, and practical tips for comparing providers so you can choose the right option for your family.

How Much Does Before & After School Care Cost in Perth?

As a benchmark, most Perth families pay somewhere between $22 and $40 per session before any subsidy is applied, depending on the provider, the school, and what's included.

Service	Average Fee/Session (Before CCS)	Average Hours
Before School Care	~$22–$32	6:30 am – 8:45 am
After School Care	~$27–$40	3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Combined Before & After (Same Day)	~$49–$72	Morning & afternoon sessions
Vacation Care / Pupil-Free Day	~$70–$110	Full day (typically 6:30 am – 6:00 pm)

Most providers charge by session rather than by the hour, which makes weekly costs easier to predict than daycare's daily-rate model. These are gross fees, before any subsidy. Most families never pay this full amount, because CCS covers a large chunk of it automatically at invoicing.

If you've searched "after school care cost Perth" and landed on wildly different numbers, that's normal. 

School-based OSHC programs, like those run in partnership with local Catholic primary schools, tend to sit toward the lower end of the range, while stand-alone commercial centres with extra add-ons often charge more. Pricing and availability can also vary by area; inner-city and high-demand suburbs tend to run higher than outer-suburb programs. 

Disclaimer: Fees quoted here are current at the time of writing and will vary between individual providers, so always confirm directly before enrolling.

Weekly OSHC Costs in Perth

Most parents budget in weeks, not sessions. Here's roughly what a term-time week looks like before subsidy:

Booking Pattern	Estimated Weekly Cost (before CCS)
3x After School Care sessions	~$81 – $120
5x After School Care sessions	~$135 – $200
5x Before School Care sessions	~$110 – $160
Full Before & After Care, 5 days	~$245 – $360

Once CCS is applied at a 90% rate, that top-end weekly figure of $360 can realistically drop to somewhere in the $35–$50 range, which is where the subsidy conversation below really matters.

How Your Before & After School Care Costs Are Calculated (Perth 2026) 

What Affects Before and After School Care Fees?

Ask five centres the cost of before and after-school care, and you'll get five answers. Here's what actually drives the price:

• Permanent vs casual bookings; a fixed weekly spot is usually cheaper per session than an ad-hoc casual booking, which often carries a small surcharge.

• Hours required; longer before-care blocks or later after-school pick-up windows push the fee up.

• Location and facilities; purpose-built spaces with dedicated outdoor areas typically cost more than a shared school hall.

• Meals and snacks included; breakfast, afternoon tea, and fruit add value (and a few dollars) to the session fee.

• Staff-to-child ratios; smaller groups and more qualified educators generally mean a higher price tag.

• Vacation care and pupil-free days; these run on separate, higher daily rates since they cover a full day rather than a couple of hours.

Two centres charging near-identical fees can offer very different experiences. Here's what that difference usually looks like in practice:

Lower-Fee Programs	Higher-Value Programs
Free play only, minimal structure	Planned activities; art, sport, STEM
Basic supervision	Homework support built into the session
Higher child-to-educator ratios	Lower ratios, more individual attention
Occasional updates	Regular photos and progress updates for parents
Parents handle drop-off	Direct classroom pick-up included

Neither option is automatically "wrong"; it depends on what your family needs. Comparing inclusions side by side makes it easier to see where your money is going.

What Determines Your Actual Out-of-Pocket Cost?

Beyond a provider's pricing, your final bill comes down to: household income (sets your CCS percentage), number of children in care (younger siblings can attract a higher rate), attendance days (more sessions, more fees), casual vs permanent booking (permanent is usually cheaper), and activity or work hours (affects subsidised hours per fortnight).

How the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Lowers Your Cost

This is where the real savings happen. Most approved before- and after-school care programs in Perth are CCS-eligible, and the subsidy covers a large share of the fee automatically; you're only billed forthe gap.

How it works for 2026–27:

• The government sets an hourly rate cap of $13.30 for Outside School Hours Care, confirmed by the Department of Education for 2026–27. Your subsidy is calculated against this cap, not necessarily your provider's full fee.

• Subsidy percentage is income-tested. Families earning $88,520 or less receive the maximum 90% subsidy rate, which then tapers down by 1% for every extra $5,000 earned, phasing out completely above $538,520.

• Since 5 January 2026, the 3-Day Guarantee means eligible lower-income families automatically receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, regardless of work or study hours.

In practice, assuming a permanent booking on a standard session fee: at a 90% subsidy, a $30 session might cost you $3–$7 out of pocket. Higher up the income scale, savings are still substantial; a household earning around $120,000 combined might sit closer to a 72% rate, which on that same $30 session covers roughly $21.60, leaving a gap of about $8.40. 

These are illustrative examples only; your actual gap fee depends on your income, activity hours, and your provider's specific fee. Run your own numbers through the Services Australia Payment Finder before enrolling. 

For a broader look at how these programs work, our guide to before and after school care in Australia covers the eligibility basics.

Other Fees You Should Ask About 

The headline session fee isn't always the full story. Before you enrol anywhere, it's worth asking providers about:

Enrolment or registration fees; a one-off joining cost, commonly $30–$75 per family

Late collection fees; often charged per minute, or per 15-minute block, after closing time

Non-attendance fees; many centres charge the full session fee for uncancelled absences, since the spot is held for your child

Public holiday or pupil-free day charges; some bookings are billed even on closed days, or run a separate paid program for pupil-free days

Sign-in/sign-out fees; a small charge some services apply if you forget to sign your child in or out via their app

A simple question to any shortlisted centre, "What else might I be charged for beyond the session fee?" can save you a surprise on your first invoice.

What's Usually Included in Before and After School Care

Session fees cover more than just supervision. A well-run before and after school care program should include:

• Safe, supervised pick-up and drop-off, including transport from the classroom if the service is on-site

• A dedicated homework or quiet-time window

• A mix of structured activities (crafts, group games, sport) and free play

• A healthy snack, usually fruit, crackers, or something similar

• Age-appropriate indoor and outdoor spaces

• Social time that helps kids build friendships outside the classroom

At Discovery Kids, sessions are built around this same balance: genuine care paired with activities that mean something to the kids, run by educators who know each child by name. 

See how our Out of School Hours Care programs are structured across each partner school.

How to Choose the Right Childcare Centre in Perth

Price is only part of the decision. Before enrolling at any childcare centre Perth families recommend, check:

Approval status: is the provider CCS-approved and compliant with National Quality Standards?

Educator qualifications: are staff trained and experienced with school-aged children specifically, not just younger kids?

Communication: do they update parents through an app, regular reports, or just a quick chat at pick-up?

Flexibility: can you add casual days, adjust hours, or access vacation care through the same provider?

Location: is it attached to your child's school, or will you need a separate drop-off run?

Atmosphere: does your child actually enjoy going, or is it just somewhere they're dropped off?

This is exactly the gap Discovery Kids was built to fill for Perth Catholic school families; no extra commute, no second drop-off, no guesswork about who's looking after your child between the bell and pick-up time. 

We run programs at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Holy Rosary, St Helena's, and St Luke's; full day-to-day details are on our Parent Information page.

Is Before and After School Care Worth the Cost?

For most Perth parents, the fee is only half the equation; the real question is whether it's worth it. A few things worth weighing up:

• Routine and structure; consistent care gives kids a predictable rhythm around the school day, which most find reassuring rather than disruptive.

• Homework support; a dedicated quiet-time window can take real pressure off evenings at home.

• Social development; time with same-aged peers outside the classroom builds friendships and confidence.

• Career continuity for parents; reliable care protects your ability to keep working consistent hours, which matters for income and superannuation over time.

• Peace of mind; knowing your child is safe, engaged, and well cared for between the bell and pick-up is worth something an invoice can't capture.

Find the Right Before and After School Care for Your Family

Discovery Kids makes it easier for Perth families to find before and after school care that offers both value and quality. Along with transparent fees and CCS-approved programs, our experienced educators create a safe, engaging environment where children can learn, play, and feel supported every day. 

If you're comparing your options, we'd be happy to explain our fees, help you understand your Child Care Subsidy eligibility, and check availability at your child's school. Get in touch with Discovery Kids.

FAQs

Is OSHC the same as before and after school care? 

Yes; Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) is the official term for before and after school care. You'll also hear it called OOSH or BASC, but they all mean the same service.

Can I claim the Child Care Subsidy for after school care? 

Yes, provided the provider is CCS-approved. Almost all school-based programs qualify, and the subsidy is applied automatically at invoicing rather than claimed separately.

Is before and after school care cheaper than long day care? 

Generally, yes. Sessions run a couple of hours rather than a full day, so fees are typically a fraction of long day care costs, even before CCS.

How much does vacation care cost in Perth? 

Vacation care runs on a separate, full-day rate rather than short session fees; average $70–$110 before subsidy, since it covers the whole day.

Can I book just one day a week? Most centres offer casual bookings alongside permanent spots, though casual sessions carry a small surcharge and can be harder to secure in busy terms. Ready to lock in a spot? See how to enrol.