One million sports vouchers claimed as South Australian families seek relief from rising costs

outh Australian families have claimed one million Sports Vouchers since the program began in 2015, with the initiative now providing more than $88 million in financial relief while helping children stay involved in sport, recreation and community activities.

Sports and Recreation Minister Rhiannon Pearce marked the milestone at 22Too Gymnastics alongside junior gymnasts, highlighting the growing role the scheme plays in easing pressure on household budgets.

Originally introduced as a single $50 voucher for children in Reception to Year 7, the program has steadily expanded over the past decade. Eligible children from Reception to Year 9 can now access two $100 vouchers each year to help cover the cost of organised activities including sport, dance, swimming lessons, Scouts, Guides, active recreation and music programs.

The South Australian Government has also confirmed the scheme will widen again from January 2027, extending eligibility to all children and young people aged between five and 18.

Government figures show more than 410,000 children and teenagers have participated in activities supported through the vouchers, which have been used across 2,525 providers throughout metropolitan and regional South Australia.

Australian Rules football remains the most accessed activity under the program, followed by football, netball, swimming and dance.

Regional areas have recorded strong participation rates, with Mount Gambier, Mount Barker and Port Lincoln among the highest-performing communities for voucher claims. Morphett Vale and Paralowie were also among the leading suburbs.

The expansion comes as families across Australia continue to face rising living costs, with participation fees for organised sport and extracurricular activities becoming increasingly difficult for some households to manage. Community sport organisations have previously warned that financial pressures risk pushing children out of regular physical activity and social participation.

Supporters of the voucher scheme say the program has helped maintain access to activities that contribute to physical health, confidence and social connection, particularly for children who may otherwise miss out.

Ms Pearce said the program was helping reduce financial barriers for families while encouraging children to remain active and connected within their communities.

She said participation in sport, music and community groups gave young people opportunities to build friendships and develop confidence outside school and home environments.

The milestone also reflects growing demand for activities such as gymnastics, which has become one of the largest sports for girls under 14 in South Australia. The Malinauskas Government has pledged $100 million towards establishing a permanent home for gymnastics in the state.

Glenda Green, chief executive of 22Too Gymnastics, said the organisation had seen a noticeable increase in families using Sports Vouchers to access programs.

She said expanding eligibility to 18-year-olds would help more families continue supporting children through programs focused on strength, coordination and wellbeing.

While the program has drawn broad support, some sporting groups have previously argued that rising participation costs still remain a challenge for families, particularly where uniforms, travel and equipment are involved. Others have called for continued investment in local facilities to match growing participation levels.

Even so, the Sports Vouchers initiative has become one of the state’s most widely used participation programs, with demand continuing to grow across both community sport and recreational activities.