Help for children to get into sport

FAMILIES have an opportunity to help their children play the sports they love with a new round of $200 sport vouchers on offer from the State Government.

From last week, applications are being accepted for the latest Get Active Kids Voucher Program allocations, aimed at helping eligible families cover the costs of sports memberships, registration fees, uniforms and equipment.

A total of $6 million was included in this year’s budget to extend the program and encourage more Victorian children to join a local sports club or try a new activity.

Families that hold health care cards or other concession cards can apply for vouchers of up to $200 for each child.

The latest round of applications was announced by Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence.

They said almost 150,000 vouchers had already been provided since the program began in 2020, with thousands more to come in this round.

More than half the families involved had said their children would not have been able to participate in sports without the voucher, they said.

More than 70 sports, from soccer to dance, and more than 2000 activity providers are included in the program.

Families can apply for vouchers online at getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers and redeem them at an activity provider like a local sporting club.

The program is open to children aged up to 18 who are named on a Commonwealth Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, and are named on a Medicare Card.

A special consideration stream is also available to support children in care, temporary or provisional visa holders, migrants and international students.

State Member for Eureka Michaela Settle welcomed the news.

“This program is helping thousands of kids to play the sports they love without burning a hole in their parents’ pockets,” she said.

“Kids should have every opportunity to get out there and keep active, which is why these vouchers are so important.”