Living with Covid has been a challenge, but now a swag of vouchers are up for grabs to help lighten the load and encourage people to get out and about and involved in social activities.
The NSW government is helping ease the cost of living with more than 70 rebates and savings worth hundreds of dollars up for grabs.
The vouchers lure people to get out and about, whether it’s to help with the cost of wining and dining, energy bills, kids’ activities or even paying the bills. Here’s what’s on offer:
DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT
NSW residents aged 18 and over can apply for six $25 vouchers, worth $150 in total, to get out and about and support dining, arts and recreation businesses.
Three of the $25 Dine NSW vouchers can be used for dining in at restaurants, cafes, bars, wineries, pubs and clubs or for takeaway meals.
The other three $25 Discover NSW vouchers can be used for entertainment and recreation, including cultural institutions, live music, and arts venues.
The vouchers can be used seven days a week, including public holidays, at participating NSW businesses until June 30, 2022.
SWIMMING FOR KIDS
The First Lap voucher program provides a $100 voucher towards the cost of swimming lessons for children aged 3-6 years who are not enrolled in school.
The program has also been made available for children in kindergarten in 2022.
The voucher can be used for a program of at least five structured and supervised swimming lessons, which are either intensive (daily) or regular weekly lessons.
They can be used at any participating business that is an approved First Lap provider.
The voucher is valid until June 30, 2022. A second First Lap voucher will be available from July, 2022.
HELP WITH ENERGY BILLS
The Family Energy Rebate gives eligible energy account holders a credit on an energy bill of up to $180.
It aims to help NSW households with dependent children. If you receive your bill directly from your energy retailer and you meet eligibixjmtzywlity requirements, you can apply online until June 30, 2022.
The NSW Seniors Energy Rebate is also available for eligible independent self-funded retirees to help cover the cost of their electricity. Gas accounts are not included.
To be eligible, you must hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card issued by Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
The rebate is $200 per household, per financial year. If your application is successful, it will be paid directly into your nominated bank or credit union account.
HELP YOUR KIDS GET CREATIVE
Parents, guardians and carers can apply for a voucher with a value of up to $100 per calendar year for each school-enrolled child aged 4.5-18 years, under the Creative Kids program.
The voucher can be used with an approved activity provider for registration, participation and tuition costs for performing arts, visual arts, coding, languages, literature, music and other eligible creative and cultural activities.
GET THE KIDS MOVING
The Active Kids program provides two $100 vouchers for parents, guardians and carers of school-enrolled children to use towards sport and active recreation costs each year.
The first voucher is valid from January to December and the second is valid from July to December.
They can be used with a registered activity provider for registration, participation and membership costs for sport, fitness and active recreation activities.
PARENTS NSW VOUCHERS
The NSW government has launched Parents NSW vouchers to reward eligible households for their efforts to support learning from home in 2021.
Starting this month, one person from each eligible household can apply for five $50 vouchers, worth $250 in total.
They can be used seven days a week, including public holidays, at Discover NSW businesses for entertainment and recreation activities and at Stay NSW businesses for accommodation bookings until October 9, 2022.
ACCOMMODATION DISCOUNTS
NSW residents aged 18 and over can apply for a $50 voucher to use towards the cost of accommodation bookings.
The Stay NSW vouchers have been released from February 21 by local government area over a two-week period.
Residents will need to check their address before applying for the vouchers.
By early March, the vouchers will be available statewide.
More NSW government rebates and savings can be found on this page.
Not sure where to start? Go here to find out how you can nab some savings.
