Childcare Cost Calculator NZ

This calculator works out what childcare actually costs your family each week and year, once you account for the free early childhood education (ECE) hours and any Childcare Subsidy you are entitled to. You enter the hours of care you use each week, the hourly fee your provider charges, how many of those hours are covered by free ECE, any per-hour subsidy amount you qualify for, and the number of weeks a year you use care. The calculator multiplies your hours by the fee to get your gross weekly cost, then subtracts the value of your free hours and subsidy to show your out-of-pocket cost per week, alongside a breakdown of the gross fees, the combined value of free hours and subsidy support, and your net cost projected over a full year. This makes it easy to compare providers on a true, after-support basis, work out whether returning to work stacks up against the childcare bill, and check you are claiming everything you are entitled to, since many families under-use the support available. Free ECE hours and the Childcare Subsidy both have their own eligibility rules based on your child's age and your family income, so confirm your entitlement and current rates before relying on the figures. This is an estimate to help with budgeting and planning, not a guarantee of the support you will receive.

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$
$180
your out-of-pocket childcare cost per week
Gross fees$360
Free hours and subsidy$180
Net per year$8,640

Free ECE hours apply to children of a certain age, and the Childcare Subsidy is income tested with its own rules, so check your eligibility and the current rates. Enter a per-hour subsidy if you qualify. Estimate only, to support planning.

How it works

The calculator works out your gross weekly fees as hours times the hourly fee. It then subtracts the value of any free ECE hours, charged at the same fee, and any per-hour subsidy you qualify for across your paid hours. The result is your real out-of-pocket cost per week, which it also converts to an annual figure. Comparing this net cost against your take-home pay helps you decide how childcare fits with working.

Worked example

At 40 hours a week and a $9 hourly fee, gross fees are $360. With 20 free ECE hours worth $180 and no extra subsidy, the net cost is $180 a week, or about $8,640 over 48 weeks. A Childcare Subsidy, if you qualify, would reduce this further.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does childcare cost in New Zealand?

It depends on the hourly fee and hours, but free ECE hours for young children and the Childcare Subsidy can reduce the out-of-pocket cost a lot. This calculator works out your net cost after those.

What childcare support is available?

There are free ECE hours for children of a certain age, and a Childcare Subsidy for eligible families based on income and hours. Many families do not claim everything they are entitled to.

Is it worth returning to work after childcare costs?

Comparing your net pay from working against the net childcare cost shows whether it stacks up. This tool gives the net childcare cost so you can weigh it against your income.