Victorian families can now apply for the latest round of the state’s Get Active Kids Voucher Program, which offers financial support to help children take part in organised sport and physical activity.
More than 40,000 vouchers are available in Round 10 of the program, each worth up to $200 per child. The funding can be used for club memberships, registration fees, uniforms and equipment.
The announcement was made at the newly opened Bundha Sports Centre in Fitzroy, where Community Sport Minister Ros Spence and Development Victoria Minister Harriet Shing marked the launch of the latest voucher round while highlighting new sporting facilities for Melbourne’s inner north.
The state government has allocated $23 million to the voucher program, which was introduced in 2020 to ease the cost of children’s participation in sport. According to government figures, more than 225,000 vouchers have been issued since the program began. Data from previous rounds suggests close to one in five children who received a voucher joined a local sporting club for the first time.
Eligibility is limited to children aged 18 and under who are named on a Commonwealth Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card and are also listed on a Medicare card. A special consideration stream is available for children in care as well as temporary or provisional visa holders, migrants and international students.
Vouchers can only be used with activity providers registered under the program.
The state government has allocated $23 million to the voucher program, which was introduced in 2020 to ease the cost of children’s participation in sport
Alongside the voucher announcement, ministers also opened the Bundha Sports Centre, described by the government as Australia’s first publicly accessible vertical sports centre. The facility includes four competition level courts suitable for netball, basketball and volleyball, along with a futsal court, gymnasium, café and flexible community spaces.
Construction of the centre was supported by a $49.5 million contribution from the Victorian Government, with an additional $5 million from Yarra City Council.
Ros Spence said the voucher scheme is designed to remove financial barriers that can prevent children from joining sports clubs.
“We’re providing real support for families to make sure kids aren’t sitting on the sidelines because of cost,” she said.
She added that the program encourages children to spend more time in physical activity with their peers.
Harriet Shing said the new sports centre would expand opportunities for young people and families in Melbourne’s inner north to take part in community sport and recreation.
Applications for the latest round of vouchers are open through the Victorian Government’s Get Active website.
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