Government subsidies are available which could cover or reduce the cost of your child’s OSCAR before or after school programmes and holiday programmes. They’re open to parents who are working or studying, and on low or middle incomes – and as of April 1st, 2023, the income requirements have been reduced to open the subsidies to more families.
Who can get the subsidy
You may be able to get an OSCAR Subsidy 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 also need to be in one of these situations:
- 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.
The child or young person must:
- normally live in New Zealand
- be at school
- be under 14 (or under 18 if you get a Child Disability Allowance for them)
- be attending an approved OSCAR programme for at least 3 hours a week, which includes before school or after school care, or holiday programmes and camps.
You can’t get the OSCAR Subsidy if the child’s other parent or caregiver can take care of the child.
It also depends on how much you and your partner earn.
To find out more about the requirements or to apply, visit the Work and Income site here
Income requirements
The income requirements have changed, as of 1st of April 2023, to open the subsidies to more middle income families.
The subsidies are based on the combined income of you and your partner, and are also based on the number of children you have.
You can get the full subsidy ($6.10 per hour, which is up to $122.00 per week for before/after school care, and $305 per week for school holidays), if:
- If you have 1 child, and you earn less than $1009.00 per week (before tax)
- If you have 2 children, and you earn less than $1160.00 per week (before tax)
- If you have 3 or more children, and you earn less than $1299.00 per week (before tax)
You can get a reduced amount, scaled based on your income, if:
- If you have 1 child, and you earn less than $2,143.99 per week (before tax)
- If you have 2 children, and you earn less than $2,449.99 per week (before tax)
- If you have 3 or more children, and you earn less than $2,755.99 per week (before tax)
How to apply
First, contact us to confirm your child’s place in the programme, and how many hours they are enrolled for.
If you have a MyMSD account, you can apply online here.
Otherwise you can download the application form here, and email it to to Centralised_childcare_reviews@msd.govt.nz.
We’ll need to fill out a section of the application to confirm your child’s enrolment.
The application must be made before the child’s first day, so it is recommended that you apply 4-6 weeks before the programme starts so you don’t miss out on the full subsidy.
For both online or paper form applications, you’ll need:
- Documents proving your identity, like a driver’s license or passport, bank statements or utility bills
- Your child’s birth certificate
Depending on your situation, you may also need:
- Proof of your income, like payslips or records of child support payments
- If you’re self employed, proof of your business income
- A marriage or civil union certificate, if you’re in a current relationship