Ms VAGHELA (Western Metropolitan) (17:49): My adjournment matter is directed to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Community Sport and Minister for Youth, the Honourable Ros Spence. This adjournment matter relates to the minister’s portfolio responsibilities for community sport. The Andrews Labor government provided $21 million for the Get Active kids program in the 2020–21 Victorian budget, supporting not only families but also sports clubs to broaden their memberships and provide them with additional revenue to help them recover from a tough 2020. The Get Active kids voucher program is a Victorian first, and it supports children to get involved in organised activities by providing $200 vouchers to help families with the cost of sports equipment, uniforms or memberships. The vouchers are available for children aged 4 to 18 who reside in Victoria, are named on a current Australian government healthcare card or pensioner concession card and are named on a valid Australian government Medicare card.
The first round of the program went live in March 2021, and more than 10 000 vouchers were snapped up by families to help cover the cost of membership, registration fees, equipment and uniforms. Sports and activities ranged from swimming, basketball and Australian Rules football to dance, tennis, gymnastics and Scouts. The program also provides a special consideration stream to support children named on their own healthcare cards, temporary or provisional visa holders, undocumented migrants and international students aged four to 18 years at the time of application. Applications for vouchers in round 2 of the program opened on 31 May 2021 and close on 9 July 2021. Round 2 will increase the number of vouchers up for grabs, providing even more families with the opportunity for their kids to join in the fun at local clubs and groups across the state.
The action I seek from the minister is to provide me with an update on how families in the Western Metropolitan Region can access and benefit from the Get Active kids voucher program.
Reply:
Ms SPENCE (Yuroke—Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Youth) (24 June 2021):
I thank the Member for Western Metropolitan Region for her question and acknowledge her terrific support of community sport participation in her local area.
The $21 million Get Active Kids Voucher Program is a Victorian-first that provides support to Victorians experiencing disadvantage and barriers to participation in sport and recreation.
Targeting this cohort ensures support is made available to those who need it most and may use this support to re-engage in sport and recreation activities or engage in sport and recreation for the first time.
Eligible families can apply online for a voucher of up to $200 through the Get Active Kids Voucher Program website www.getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers.
The Program is being delivered across four rounds until 15 April 2022. Subject to availability, eligible applicants can apply for up to two vouchers per eligible child in total during the period 1 March 2021 to 15 April 2022, with a maximum of one voucher available per eligible child per round.
The second round of the Program closes on 9 July 2021, and I encourage the Member for Western Metropolitan Region to promote this round to her constituents and to work with clubs in the area to encourage eligible families to apply. The Get Active Victoria website contains information on frequently asked questions, application help guide and promotional resources for community clubs and organisations.