The NSW Government has announced changes to the Active Kids vouchers effective 1 July 2023, which include dropping the value of the voucher from $100 to $50.
Active Kids Vouchers have been a valuable resource for families, providing financial assistance to support children's participation in sporting activities for many years now. Changes to the program were announced last week and include reductions in the voucher amounts in the shorter term and stricter eligibility criteria over the longer term.
Key details of the announcement include:
- All children enrolled in school will be eligible for a new $50 Active Kids voucher from 1 July 2023 and will be valid for redemption until 31 January 2024.
- On 1 February 2024, a new means-tested Active and Creative Kids voucher program will be launched for children enrolled in school. The voucher will be for $50 and will be issued twice a year, at the start of terms 1 and 3.
- The new program will cover activities currently available under both the Active and Creative Kids voucher programs.
- Children in families eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A will be eligible for the new voucher program.
- The First Lap voucher program has been extended through to 30 June 2024. From 1 July 2023, parents, carers, and guardians will be able to access one new $50 First Lap voucher per eligible child for swimming lessons until 30 June 2024.
- Eligibility for the extension of the First Lap program will not be means-tested and remains for children aged 3-6 years who are not enrolled in school.
Swimming NSW is currently working with Swimming Australia to have this new amount reflected in the membership purchase workflow in Swim Central. We are hopeful there will not be any delays in the use of the voucher system, but please bear with us as we make these changes.
Further changes will come into effect from 1 February 2024. The effects of these changes will be communicated in the coming months.
Swimming NSW encourages families who have not yet redeemed their $100 Active Kids and Frist Lap vouchers to do so before they expire on 30 June 2023.
Read the full NSW Government announcement for further information about the changes.
