Early childhood education is one of the bigger costs a young family carries, and if you are working or studying in Auckland CBD, every dollar counts. The good news is that the Government’s FamilyBoost rebate can put a meaningful amount back in your pocket each quarter. Here is a plain-English rundown of how it works, who can claim, and how the team at Honeybees can make the whole thing easier.
What is FamilyBoost?
FamilyBoost is a Government rebate run through Inland Revenue that refunds part of what you spend on early childhood education. Eligible families can claim back up to 40 percent of their out-of-pocket childcare fees, to a maximum of $1,560 each quarter. That works out to as much as $120 a week, or roughly $6,240 across a full year.
It is a reimbursement rather than a discount at the door. You pay your fees as usual, then claim a portion back from IRD every three months.
What changed from July 2025?
The scheme became a lot more generous. The maximum rebate lifted from 25 percent to 40 percent of fees, and the quarterly cap rose to $1,560. Eligibility widened too, so families earning up to around $229,000 a year can now claim something. The full 40 percent goes to lower-income households, with the rebate scaling down as household income rises.
Who can claim?
You may be eligible for FamilyBoost if:
- You are the parent or caregiver of a child aged 5 or under
- You pay fees to a licensed early childhood provider, such as Honeybees
- You are a New Zealand tax resident
- Your household income sits below $229,000 a year
Because the income test is done every quarter, your entitlement can change through the year. Families whose income shifts from one quarter to the next may still qualify in some periods even if they miss out in others, so it is worth checking each time.
How much could you get back?
The exact figure depends on your household income and how much you pay in fees. A family spending around $300 a week on childcare, for example, could receive up to the $120 weekly maximum. Lower-income households tend to see the largest rebates, while higher earners receive a reduced amount. Inland Revenue has a FamilyBoost calculator on its website that gives you a quick estimate based on your own numbers.
How to apply
The process is straightforward once you are set up:
- Register for FamilyBoost in myIR at ird.govt.nz/familyboost. You only need to do this once.
- Gather your details, including your and your partner’s IRD numbers and dates of birth, your children’s IRD numbers and dates of birth, and your childcare invoices.
- Submit a claim each quarter once the period has ended. July to September is claimed from October, October to December from January, January to March from April, and April to June from July.
How Honeybees helps
Based in Auckland CBD, Honeybees Childcare Centre is a licensed early childhood provider, so our fees count towards your FamilyBoost claim. When you enrol with us, we are happy to help you make sense of the process and point you in the right direction, so you can focus on settling your little one in rather than untangling paperwork.
If you are weighing up childcare options in the central city and have questions about how FamilyBoost might apply to your family, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch to ask a question or arrange a visit, and we can have a chat about enrollment.
For the full terms and the latest figures, head to ird.govt.nz/familyboost.