Teenagers aged 16 to 18 in South Australia could soon gain access to annual $200 vouchers for sport, music and recreation activities under a plan proposed by the Government of South Australia.
The $14.4 million proposal would expand the existing Sports Vouchers program, which helps families cover participation fees for organised sport, music lessons and other approved activities.
The scheme has already undergone changes in recent years. Voucher values were increased from $100 to $200 and the program was broadened so families could use it for music and certain recreation activities alongside sport. State figures indicate the initiative helped South Australian families save close to $20 million on activity fees over the past year.
The proposed change would extend eligibility to older teenagers who are currently outside the program’s age bracket. Officials say the aim is to encourage young people to remain involved in organised activities during their later school years.
Government data shows that almost 200,000 vouchers were claimed in 2025 through 1,475 providers across the state, roughly double the number recorded the year before.
Swimming recorded the highest uptake with 33,332 vouchers claimed. Australian Rules football followed with 32,862 claims, while soccer accounted for 31,780. Dance and netball also attracted strong participation with 18,860 and 18,722 vouchers respectively.
Other activities formed a smaller portion of the program. Active recreation, fitness and Guides or Scouts activities accounted for 3,437 vouchers. Music participation totalled 2,492 vouchers across nearly 100 providers, representing about $248,000 in funding.
Regional participation was also visible. Mount Barker recorded the highest number of claims with 2,994 vouchers, followed by Mount Gambier with 2,258. Morphett Vale, Port Lincoln and Prospect were among the other suburbs with strong uptake.
Peter Malinauskas said the policy is intended to provide families with more opportunities to keep young people engaged in activities outside school and away from screens.
Sports Minister Rhiannon Pearce said widening eligibility could allow more teenagers to discover interests in sport, music or community organisations while building confidence and social connections.
Observers often note that voucher programs can help reduce financial barriers for families, though participation levels may still depend on factors such as access to local clubs, provider capacity and the broader cost of youth activities.
Families currently access the vouchers through the state’s online portal, where the funding is applied directly to approved activity providers across South Australia.
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