Childcare & Education
Accountant for Childcare Centres, Educators and Tutors in Sydney
Child Care Subsidy reconciliation, GST-exempt income, staff payroll and compliance — handled by a team with education sector experience.
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers face accounting complexity that few general accountants understand — Child Care Subsidy (CCS) reconciliation, mixed GST treatment, staffing ratios, and ACECQA compliance. ANH Accounting works with long day care centres, family day care, OSHC, and private education providers across Sydney.
Who we help in childcare & education
Family day care educators
Contractor tax treatment, deductions, CCS reconciliation and BAS.
Private tutors and coaching centres
ABN, GST registration, structure and growth planning.
Childcare centre owners
Award payroll, subsidy reconciliation, GST and profitability reporting.
The accounting challenges childcare & education face
We have seen these issues repeatedly — and know exactly how to resolve them.
Child Care Subsidy reconciliation
CCS payments arrive from Services Australia based on attendance and family entitlements. Reconciling CCS receipts against attendance records and fee statements is complex and must be accurate for compliance and cash flow management.
GST treatment for childcare services
Long day care, family day care, outside school hours care, and vacation care are generally GST-free. However, some additional services, meals, and late fees may have different GST treatment. Incorrect classification creates BAS exposure.
Staff payroll and super under the ECEC Award
The Children's Services Award sets minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates for ECEC educators. Compliance with the award, correct classification of qualified vs unqualified educators, and Payday Super management all require careful attention.
Capital expenses and equipment
Childcare equipment, fit-outs, outdoor play areas and IT equipment all have specific depreciation treatment. Instant asset write-off rules and the threshold changes affect how and when these are claimed.
Free 30-minute strategy session
Get clear advice for your childcare & education business
- A registered tax agent reviews your situation
- You leave with at least one practical next step
- No obligation, and we reply within 24 hours
What we do for childcare & education
- Xero bookkeeping with CCS integration
- Payroll under Children's Services Award
- BAS / IAS preparation & lodgment
- Annual tax returns
- Cash flow management
- Business structure advice
- ATO correspondence
- Equipment depreciation planning
What you can expect
CCS receipts reconciled against attendance monthly
Payroll compliant with Children's Services Award
All GST classifications correct in every BAS
Equipment deductions maximised annually
Why childcare & education choose ANH Accounting
Start with a free 30-minute session
We review your situation, identify savings opportunities, and outline exactly what we can do for your childcare & education business — no charge, no obligation.
After hours & weekend appointments available
Rated 5.0 on Google from 36 reviews
What clients say about working with ANH Accounting
Khaled was incredibly professional and prompt in assisting us with our ASIC paperwork. His efficiency and attention to detail made the process seamless. This is the kind of exceptional service everyone desires. Thank you, ANH Accounting, and a special thanks to Khaled!
I recently had the pleasure of working with ANH, and I can confidently say it was a fantastic experience! The quality of service was outstanding, with attention to detail and a commitment to excellence evident in every interaction. I appreciated their transparency throughout the process, making it easy to stay informed and involved.
Khaled was my accountant, very professional and gets the job done quickly. 5 Stars all day.
Common questions from childcare & education
How should childcare centres handle Child Care Subsidy payments?
CCS is paid directly from the Australian Government to approved providers via Services Australia. The amount is based on enrolled children's attendance, their family's entitlement, and your gap fee. CCS receipts must be reconciled monthly against attendance records and fee statements. We set up your Xero file to correctly capture CCS receipts and ensure your reports accurately reflect both your gross fees and the subsidy received.
What payroll obligations apply to childcare educators?
Childcare educators are covered by the Children's Services Award 2010. This sets minimum pay rates that differ based on qualifications (Certificate III, Diploma, or degree-qualified), allowances, and shift penalty rates. From 1 July 2026, superannuation must be paid on every pay run under Payday Super. We manage payroll compliance end-to-end and ensure award obligations are met.
Are childcare and education services GST-free?
Approved childcare and many courses are GST-free, but other supplies such as uniforms, excursions or non-accredited services may be taxable. Each service needs to be checked against the GST Act. We review your fee schedule and correct your BAS.
How should a family day care educator treat income and expenses?
Educators are often treated as contractors, which means you report income and claim related expenses such as food, equipment and household costs, apportioned for business use. Record-keeping is essential. We set up simple processes and prepare your return.
What records support Child Care Subsidy payments?
You need enrolment records, attendance records, fee invoices and receipts that tie to the subsidy paid. Poor records can lead to repayment demands. We keep your accounts reconciled to subsidy statements.
What can an educator or tutor claim as a deduction?
Educators and tutors can generally claim teaching resources, professional memberships, training, work-related travel and the work portion of phone and home office costs, with records. We maximise your allowable claims.
How do I handle payroll and award rates for educators?
Educators are covered by the Children’s Services Award or the Educational Services Award depending on the role, which sets pay rates, allowances and loadings. We set up payroll to apply them correctly.
Related accounting specialisations
General information only, last reviewed October 2026. Tax rules and thresholds change, so confirm your situation with ANH Accounting (Registered Tax Agent RN 26258346) before acting.
Ready to get your accounting handled properly?
Book a free 30-minute session with ANH Accounting. We'll review your current situation, find opportunities, and tell you exactly what we can do for your childcare & education business.
Registered Tax Agent RN 26258346 · IPA · IFA · CPA · CA · Xero Certified · Est. 2018