Who doesn’t love a voucher?
It’s no secret that families are feeling cost of living pressures, but no one wants their kids to miss out on the joy and personal development that playing sport has to offer.
Luckily, there’s some support from state governments across the country in the form of sports vouchers. To make it easier, we’ve found all the sports vouchers for Aussie kids:
New South Wales (Active Kids)
- Amount: $50 (twice a year)
- Open Dates: Applications for Voucher 1 opened on 1 February 2024, and Voucher 2 opened on 15 July 2024.
- Who Can Apply: Families receiving Family Tax Benefit with children aged 4.5 to 18 years old.
- Sports on Offer: Wide range including dance, music, football (soccer), martial arts, gymnastics, tennis, rugby league, and more.
- Limitations: Vouchers cannot be split between providers, redeemed for cash, or used for ineligible activities.
- Other Information: Vouchers can be combined if unused by the end of the year.
Victoria (Get Active)
- Amount: Up to $200
- Open Dates: Applications open in Spring 2024.
- Who Can Apply: Children aged 0 to 18 named on a valid Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.
- Sports on Offer: Various organized sports and active recreation activities.
- Limitations: Must be used for membership and registration fees.
- Other Information: Program helps eligible families cover costs for sport and recreation.
Queensland (FairPlay Vouchers)
- Amount: Up to $200
- Open Dates: From 1 July 2024
- Who Can Apply: Every child aged 5 to 17, with an additional 50,000 vouchers for those under the current eligibility criteria.
- Sports on Offer: Numerous activities including cricket, tennis, football, basketball, scouts, roller skating, equestrian, canoeing, and more.
- Limitations: One voucher per child per calendar year.
- Other Information: Over 210,000 vouchers have been redeemed since 2019, with continued investment to reduce costs for sports participation
South Australia (Sports Vouchers SA)
- Amount: $100
- Open Dates: Available each calendar year. From 1 January 2025, two $100 vouchers will be available annually.
- Who Can Apply: Children in Reception to Year 9.
- Sports on Offer: Sports, dance, learn to swim, scouts/guides, and from 2025, music lessons.
- Limitations: One voucher per calendar year (will increase to two from 2025).
- Other Information: The program aims to increase children’s participation in physical activity by reducing cost barriers (Sports Vouchers).
Western Australia (KidSport)
- Amount: Up to $500 per calendar year.
- Open Dates: Open year-round.
- Who Can Apply: Children aged 5-18 years, who have a valid Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.
- Sports on Offer: Various sports including but not limited to soccer, basketball, netball, swimming, athletics, and cricket.
- Any Limitations: The voucher can only be used for joining and membership fees.
- Other Information: The KidSport program aims to support children’s participation in community sport and helps reduce the cost burden on families.
Tasmania (Ticket to Play)
- Amount: Two vouchers worth up to $100 each
- Open Dates: Applications are open from 4 July 2024 to 30 May 2025
- Who Can Apply:
- Children aged between 5 and 18 years old
- Listed on a valid Services Australia Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card
- In approved Out of Home Care
- Temporary or provisional visa holders, undocumented migrants, or international students
- Sports on Offer: Vouchers can be used for membership fees with approved activity providers, including sporting clubs, Learn to Swim centres, Scouts, Girl Guides, Cadet organisations, and dance schools.
- Any Limitations:
- Vouchers cannot be used for individual equipment items, uniforms, court fees, match day fees, gym memberships, travel to and from activities, programs less than six weeks, or school-run activities.
- Vouchers must be redeemed by an Approved Activity Provider by 6 June 2025.
- Vouchers are single-use only and cannot be partially used or combined with other vouchers for different providers if the membership fee is less than $100.
- Other Information: Applications must be submitted online, and applicants will receive voucher codes via email.
Northern Territory (Sport Voucher Scheme)
- Amount: $100 per child, issued twice a year (January and July).
- Open Dates: Vouchers are issued in January and July each year.
- Who Can Apply: School-enrolled children aged 5-18 years.
- Sports on Offer: A wide range of activities including traditional sports like football, netball, and swimming, as well as other activities like dance, martial arts, and scouting.
- Any Limitations: Vouchers must be used for approved activities, and the activity provider must be registered with the scheme.
- Other Information: The scheme aims to encourage children to participate in sport and recreation activities, enhancing their physical and mental health.
Australian Capital Territory (EVERY CHANCE Sports Vouchers)
- Amount: $250 per eligible child.
- Open Dates: Ongoing
- Who Can Apply: Children and families experiencing financial hardship.
- Sports on Offer: Includes various sports and physical activities such as soccer, basketball, netball, swimming, gymnastics, and more.
- Any Limitations: The voucher can be used for registration fees, equipment, and uniforms.
- Other Information: The program aims to reduce barriers to participation in physical activities for children from low-income families.
Northern Territory Swimming Program
- State: Northern Territory
- Program: Learn to Swim Vouchers
- Amount: $100 per semester (total $200 per year)
- Open Dates: January and July.
- Who Can Apply: Children under 5 years old, not enrolled in school, and residents of NT.
- Sports on Offer: Swimming lessons.
- Any Limitations: Must be registered for the Water Safety Awareness Program. Vouchers are only for swimming lessons.
- Other Information: The program focuses on preventing drowning and providing lifelong swimming skills.
Queensland Learn to Swim Program (SwimStart)
- State: Queensland
- Amount: Up to $150 per voucher
- Open Dates: Round 1 is currently closed. Future rounds will be announced.
- Who Can Apply: Parents, carers, or guardians with a valid Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card for their children aged 0 to 4 years.
- Sports on Offer: Swimming lessons
- Any Limitations: One voucher per child per financial year. Vouchers can only be used with registered SwimStart activity providers.
- Other Information: The SwimStart program aims to support families experiencing cost-of-living pressures by providing financial assistance for swimming lessons for young children. The program is modeled on the successful FairPlay program and is part of Queensland’s broader effort to improve water safety among children.
