Vic preschoolers enjoying greater access to sport thanks to voucher scheme

The second round of the $21 million Get Active Kids Voucher Program is now available, supporting Victorian children from the ages of four to eighteen years to access up to $200 to help pay for sporting equipment, uniforms and memberships.

 

Victorian Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence announced the second round funding late last week, building on the success of the first round of the program which saw more than 10,000 vouchers snapped up, helping families cover the costs of membership and registration fees, equipment and uniforms. Sports and activities ranged from swimming, basketball and Australian rules football to dance, tennis, gymnastics and scouts.

 

Statistics from round one of the scheme showed that 27 per cent of children who received a voucher joining a local sporting club for the first time, and around 40 per cent of those who participated in the scheme said they would not have been able to participate in their chosen sport or activity without the financial support provided by the program.

 

Round two will increase the number of vouchers up for grabs, providing even more families with the opportunity for their kids to join in the fun at local clubs and groups across the state, Ms Spence said.

 

To be eligible to participate in the program children need to be aged between four and eighteen years, be a Victorian resident, be named on a valid Commonwealth Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card and named on a valid Medicare Card at the time of application.

 

The program also provides a special consideration stream to support children named on their own Health Care Card, temporary or provisional visa holders, undocumented migrants and international students aged between four and eighteen years at the time of application.

 

Applications for vouchers in round two of the program opened on 31 May 2021 and will close on 9 July 2021. Eligible expenditure dates (for membership, uniform and equipment costs) are from 1 January 2021 to 9 July 2021.

 

The program is being delivered across four rounds until 15 April 2022. Subject to availability, two vouchers can be claimed for each eligible child across the duration of the program.

 

To apply or for more information about the program, visit getactive.vic.gov.au