Question details
Morwell electorate
(562) My question is for the Minister for Community Sport, and I ask: will the state government announce another round of the Get Active Kids voucher program for this year? The winter sports season is upon us, and clubs in my electorate would normally already be processing these vouchers for the children who rely on them to participate in community sport. Three weeks out from season 2024, despite numerous inquiries there is no information about whether the vouchers will be available this year. Children should be able to participate in community sport regardless of their personal circumstances, and they should not be excluded just because their families cannot afford to pay the associated costs. If the program is not running in 2024, then it is incumbent on this government that other financial support is available to ensure children can still play their chosen sport. Minister, will you release another round of the Get Active Kids voucher program?
I thank the Member for Morwell for his support of the Allan Labor Government’s Get Active Kids Voucher Program.
As Minister for Community Sport, I am committed to ensuring all Victorians have opportunities to participate in sport and active recreation. Providing high quality community sport and active recreation programs and infrastructure is a key objective of the Allan Labor Government and is integral to the health and wellbeing of all Victorians.
The Get Active Kids Voucher Program is a Victorian first, and supports eligible children aged 0 to 18 to get involved in organised activities by providing vouchers valued up to $200 to help families with the cost of participating in sport – from uniforms and equipment to memberships and registrations. To date, almost 150,000 vouchers have been provided since the program’s launch in 2020-21.
The program provides enormous assistance in easing cost of living pressures, and future funding will be considered as part of the broader 2024-25 State Budget process. In the meantime, I would encourage clubs in your community to make sure they are the first to hear about any updates, by subscribing to the Program mailing list via the website.
The current round of the program was open for applications until 12 December 2023, however vouchers can be redeemed at Registered Activity Providers until 30 April 2024 to support registrations in community sport and recreation for the winter seasons.
The Hon. Ros Spence MP
Minister for Community Sport