Illawarra parents will be able to score themselves up to $400 for each of their school-aged kids from next year, when the NSW government’s previously-flagged Active Kids Rebate kicks off.
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However, the cash incentive – aimed at getting more kids involved in sport – does come with a catch, or two.
From January 31, parents will be able to claim up to $100 per school-aged child, per year over four years – as a voucher to help with costs like rego or membership fees.
Guidelines for the rebate, released by the government at the weekend, reveal some activities won’t be covered under the initiative and the voucher can’t be split across different sports or clubs (meaning parents may not be able to claim the full $100).
The costs associated with clothing and equipment, or travel to and from competitions, are also not included.
Under the program, physical activity is defined as “movement involving large muscles” – such as running, swimming and aerobic activity – and must be “planned, structured and involve repetitive bodily movement”.
Dance is listed as an approved active recreation activity under the rebate.
To be eligible, the sport or active recreation program must run for at least eight weeks.
As such, less-structured activities like drop-in gym sessions are ineligible.
The rebate, announced in the June state budget, won’t be means-tested.
Children aged four-and-a-half to 18 years, who are enrolled at school and living in NSW, are eligible.
So, too, are those who are home-schooled or studying at TAFE.
Parents, guardians or carers will need to apply for the vouchers, which can then be redeemed through an approved sport, fitness or physical activity provider at the time of registration.
Every dollar counts in the household budget and this is $100 back into the pockets of mums and dads so more kids can play sport.
- Sport Minister Stuart Ayres
The rebate is capped at one voucher per school-aged child each calendar year. However, there is no limit on the number of applications per family.
NSW Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said the government was helping to ensure families “don’t have to stretch their budgets to ensure their kids are active and healthy”.
“Every dollar counts in the household budget and this is $100 back into the pockets of mums and dads so more kids can play sport,” Mr Ayres said.
SCORE! $100 ACTIVE KIDS REBATE KICKS OFF IN JANUARY
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Sporting pursuits
- Swimming lessons
- Structured fitness programs
- Outdoor recreation programs
- Approved active recreation (e.g. dance)
- Other structured programs of moderate to vigorous activity
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Programs of less than eight weeks’ duration
- Gym membership that is not part of a structured program
- Activities that are part of the school curriculum or conducted during school hours
- After-school care services and tutors
- School-run competitions, including weekend and inter-school sport or activities.
EXCLUDED COSTS
- Individual items such as jerseys, socks, boots and clothing (separate from rego fees)
- Travel to and from competitions
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO CLAIM THE VOUCHER?
- Every child (4.5 to 18 years old) enrolled in school from Kindergarten to Year 12 will be eligible for an Active Kids Voucher. This includes those who are home-schooled or enrolled in secondary school education at TAFE NSW.
- It will not be means tested and one voucher will be available for every child in the family annually over the next four years.
- There will be no limits on the number of applications per family, as long as every child is enrolled in school.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
- The vouchers will be redeemable through approved sport, fitness and physical activity providers upon registration.
- Please note that vouchers cannot be split between multiple clubs or registrations, and therefore you may not be able to claim the full $100.
HOW LONG ARE VOUCHERS VALID?
- Vouchers provided are valid for redemption during the current calendar year activity program (Year 1 will commence from 31 January and expire on 31 December 2018). Vouchers shall expire at the end of the calendar year.
- 2019 vouchers and beyond will commence from 1 January each year and expire on 31 December.
- No availability exists for retrospective redemption of vouchers.
- Vouchers are available for redemption once only for the nominated registered season or term of activity.
HOW DO YOU DOWNLOAD A VOUCHER?
- From January 31, parents/guardians/carers with legal responsibility of an eligible child resident in NSW will be able to download a voucher from an online platform. The platform will be run by Service NSW and can be accessed through this website.
Source: NSW government