Commencing 31 January 2018
The NSW Government will allocate $207 million over four years to establish Active Kids. Active Kids is a program to help NSW families meet the cost of getting their kids into sport and active fitness and recreation activities.
What is Active Kids?
The NSW Government will provide a $100 voucher to parents/guardians of school enrolled children. The $100 voucher can be used for registration and participation costs for sport and fitness activities.
The initiative aims to reduce barriers to participation and help change the physical activity behaviours of children and young people in NSW.
Who is eligible to claim the voucher? Every child (4.5 - 18 years’ old) enrolled in school from Kindergarten to Year 12 is eligible. This includes those who are home-schooled or enrolled in secondary school education at TAFE NSW.
It will not be means tested and one voucher will be available for every child in the family annually over the next four years.
There will be no limits on the number of applications per family, as long as every child is enrolled in school.
How long are vouchers valid?
Vouchers provided are valid for redemption during the current calendar year activity program (Year 1 will commence from 31 January and expire on 31 December 2018). Vouchers shall expire at the end of the calendar year.
2019 vouchers and beyond will commence from 1 January each year and expire on 31 December.
Vouchers are available for redemption once only for the nominated registered season or term of activity.
What can the voucher be used for?
The voucher can be used for registration or membership fees for structured activities of no less than eight weeks’ duration that provide a moderate to vigorous level of physical activity, for example:
sporting pursuits
swimming lessons
structured fitness program
outdoor education programs
approved active recreation (dance etc)
equipment ordinarily provided by the provider on registration for competition.
Physical activity is defined as movement involving large muscles (e.g. running, swimming, aerobic activity). Physical activity must be planned, structured and involve repetitive bodily movement which improves or maintains physical fitness.
The vouchers will be redeemable through approved sport, fitness and physical activity providers upon registration.
Please note that vouchers cannot be split between multiple clubs or registrations, and therefore you may not be able to claim the full $100.
What can’t the voucher be used for?
Individual items (such as jerseys, socks, boots, etc.) that would usually be purchased from a retailer and paid for by the individual as part of participating in the activity separate to any membership or registration fees charged by the provider.
How do you download a voucher?
From 31 January 2018, parents/guardians/carers with legal responsibility of an eligible child resident in NSW will be able to download a voucher from an online platform. The platform will be run by Service NSW and can be accessed through this website.
What if I registered for an activity or sport last year?
You won't receive a voucher for last year as the program has been introduced in 2018, but you can get a voucher for this year's activity or sport.
What happens if my child lives outside NSW?
To be eligible for a voucher, each child must reside in NSW.
The club or activity provider where the child registers must also be located and operating in NSW.
Some examples are:
My child lives in NSW and plays in a NSW club – the child is eligible to claim a voucher
My child lives in QLD and plays in a NSW club – the child is ineligible to claim a voucher
My child lives in NSW, goes to school in VIC – the child is eligible to claim a voucher to be used with an approved NSW provider
My child lives in NSW but plays in a local club located in VIC – the child is eligible to claim a voucher but cannot use the voucher at a club operating outside NSW. They can use the voucher at an approved NSW provider.
Where can I get more information?
Please watch this space for further updates.
Phone: Active Kids enquiry line 13 77 88 Email: activekids@sport.nsw.gov.au (link sends e-mail)
