Work and Income’s Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) Subsidy is a government payment that helps eligible families with the cost of before-school care, after-school care, and school holiday programmes.

Eligible families can claim:

• Up to 20 hours per week during term time for before and after school care, and

• Up to 50 hours per week in school holidays to support working parents.

The subsidy is paid directly to the provider. 

You may qualify if:

• You’re the main caregiver of a dependent child, and

• You’re a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and

• Your family income is within the allowable thresholds for OSCAR Subsidy assistance 

In addition, you must also be in at least one of these situations:

• Employed, studying, or on an approved training course

• Involved in an activity directed by Work & Income

• A shift worker (e.g. nights or non-standard hours)

• Seriously ill or disabled

• Caring for a child in hospital or with a disability (i.e. receive Child Disability Allowance)

And for the child:

• Must normally live in New Zealand

• Must be at school

• Be under 14 (or under 18 if receiving Child Disability Allowance)

• Be attending an approved OSCAR programme for at least 3 hours per week (before/after school or holiday care)

You can't get the OSCAR Subsidy if the child's other parent or caregiver can take care of the child.

• The hourly subsidy rate depends on your family size, income, and how many hours per week your child attends care.

• From 1 April 2025, the highest subsidy rate is $6.52 per hour, per child. 

• Payments go directly to us (the provider), and any subsidy amount is deducted from your invoice balance.

• You may be eligible for backdated subsidy payments, if you apply within 20 working days of when care started or when you first contacted Work & Income.

Here’s what applying typically involves:

1. Book your child into your chosen activity in Enrolmy (ensure you have indicated that you wish to apply for an OSCAR Subsidy when completing booking)

2. Complete the Childcare Assistance application form - gather required documents listed on application.

3. Submit forms to us — we will fill out the supervisor section and send them off to Work & Income.

4. Work & Income assesses your application and notifies you of the outcome.

Important notes:

• You must reapply every term or holiday period — the subsidy does not automatically carry over. 

• Use a subsidy declaration form for future bookings, once your initial application has been approved.

• If your application is not approved, you will be responsible for the full cost of care.

• We recommend applying at least 4 weeks before care starts.

• The subsidy can only be applied from the date care starts or you apply, whichever is later (as long as submitted within 20 working days).