State sport and activity vouchers for kids — what every state offers

Every Australian state and territory funds sport or activity vouchers for kids — but the amounts and eligibility rules vary widely. NSW Active and Creative Kids gives 2 × $50 to families on FTB. WA KidSport gives up to $500/year to families holding a concession card. ACT's Future of Education Equity Fund can give $750/year for high-schoolers from low-income families (and the use isn't limited to sport — it covers uniforms, music, excursions). QLD Play On! and SA Sports Voucher Plus are universal (no income test). This guide gives you the headline + eligibility for all eight states/territories, source-verified as of May 2026.

The figures here are NestWise's source-verified values (audit-trail: docs/proposals/state-sport-vouchers-verification-2026-05-20.md). State governments change rules regularly — NestWise tracks each, but always click through to the official page for your state's current status before applying.

Quick comparison — all 8 states

NSW — Active and Creative Kids

2 × $50 vouchers per calendar year ($100 total per child). Eligibility: parent must receive Family Tax Benefit Part A, Part B, or both (current or previous FY); child aged 4.5 to 18 years; NSW resident enrolled in K-12 school, home-schooled, or secondary TAFE NSW.

• Voucher 1: released 15 January, must be used by 31 December of same year.
• Voucher 2: released 15 July, must be used by 14 July of following year.
• Combined use: if two unexpired, can stack as $100 toward a single activity.

The program now covers both sport AND creative activities (music, dance, art) — that's the "Active and Creative" rename.

VIC — Get Active Kids Voucher

Up to $200 per child per round (budget-capped, multiple rounds per year). Eligibility narrows to concession card holders + Medicare card OR special-consideration streams (temporary/provisional visas, undocumented migrants, children in Victorian Care Services). Age range: 0–18.

• One voucher OR one reimbursement per child per round.
• Minimum activity cost: $50 for reimbursement applications.
• Round 10 ran March 2026 (closed 30 March). Next round date TBC.

This is the most variable program — round dates depend on Victorian state budget cycles. Check the official page for current round.

QLD — Play On! Sports Vouchers

Up to $200 per child per financial year — 1 voucher only across both rounds in the FY. Eligibility: universal for all QLD children aged 5–17 holding a current Medicare card. No income test.

• Round 1: August/September. Round 2: January.
• If your child received Round 1, they're not eligible for Round 2 in the same FY.
• Must be presented to activity provider by 19 June 2026 (current Round 2 deadline).

For ages 0–4, the equivalent SwimStart voucher applies for swimming lessons. Previously called "FairPlay" — the program was renamed to "Play On!" in 2024.

WA — KidSport

Up to $500 per child per financial year (the highest sport-voucher amount in Australia). Eligibility: child must be named on a valid HCC or PCC with corresponding CRN. Age range: 5–18.

• Applications open year-round.
• Voucher validity: 90 days from issue.
• Use: KidSport-approved club registration / membership fees; uniforms and equipment if the club opts in.

Heads up on stale info: The $500 figure is from the DLGSC parent information page (the authoritative current source, last reviewed February 2026). The KidSport portal homepage still says $300; the ConcessionsWA page still says $150. Both are stale — the $500 figure is correct for 2025-26.

Asylum seekers, refugees, humanitarian entrants, and children in care can apply without HCC via an approved support agent.

SA — Sports Voucher Plus

2 × $100 vouchers per calendar year ($200 total per child). Eligibility: universal for all South Australian children Reception to Year 9 (born 2011–2021 inclusive for 2026). No income test.

• Both vouchers can be combined ($200 single activity) OR split between two providers ($100 each).
• Music tuition is now an eligible use (added 1 January 2026) — that's why the program was renamed from "Sports Voucher" to "Sports Voucher Plus."

TAS — Ticket to Play

2 × $100 vouchers per financial year ($200 total per child). Multi-pathway eligibility:

1. Child listed on a Services Australia HCC or PCC, OR
2. Family received FTB-A in previous or current FY, OR
3. Child in approved out of home care, OR
4. Temporary/provisional visa holder, undocumented migrant, or international student.

Age range: 5–18 (eligible the day they turn 5; until the day before they turn 19). Annual FY round. Applications close 29 May 2026 (or earlier if exhausted); vouchers must be redeemed by 5 June 2026.

The FTB-A pathway was added in April 2026 — significantly broadening eligibility beyond just concession-card families. The official homepage reflects this; the FAQ page hasn't yet been updated (still says HCC/PCC only).

ACT — Future of Education Equity Fund

Tiered amounts by year level (the highest per-child Australian sport/activity benefit):

• $400 preschool students
• $500 primary students
• $750 high school and college students

Eligibility: Reside in ACT + financial responsibility for the student + demonstrate low-income status via HCC or PCC OR alternative evidence. Year range: preschool to Year 12.

This is a broader education equity payment, not a sport-only voucher. Eligible uses include uniforms, excursions, sport equipment and activities, music lessons, book packs, and tuition. No limit on the number of students per family. 2026 round opened 1 December 2025; closes 27 November 2026.

NT — Sport Voucher Scheme (urban) + Back-to-School Payment

NT runs three layered programs:

Sport Voucher Scheme (urban): 2 × $100 per child per FY ($200 total). Universal for all NT children Transition to Year 12 in urban areas (Darwin, Darwin Rural, Alice Springs, Nhulunbuy, Mataranka, Katherine, Palmerston, Tennant Creek). Two semesters per FY (January + July). Use covers sport, recreation, cultural activities, music/instrumental lessons, and swimming.

Back-to-School Payment: $200 per student per year. Universal for every child enrolled in an NT school or registered for home-schooling, Transition to Year 12. Use: educational goods (uniforms, swimming, camps, excursions).

Learn to Swim Voucher: $100 for children under 5 not yet at school, for swimming lessons.

Total potential annual NT family value: $400 per child (sport + back-to-school).

Remote/community children have separate arrangements coordinated by regional councils — not the same voucher system.

How NestWise helps

NestWise tracks all eight states' programs and surfaces the relevant one based on your state of residence (from your profile) and child age. The free State Benefits surface shows your eligible programs alongside the application links. We update the figures within weeks of each state's announcement.

For families with a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, the WA KidSport and VIC Get Active Kids programs are particularly valuable — both are gated on concession-card status and can be quietly missed.

The full source list is on the sources page.

What to read next

• State kindy and preschool funding — the other major state-by-state family support stream.
• Family Tax Benefit Part A — several voucher programs use FTB-A as their eligibility test.
• How much Child Care Subsidy will I get in 2025-26? — the federal entitlement that runs alongside state programs.