The State Government is offering more support to South Australian families with the expansion of the Sports Vouchers program, which will help children stay active, engaged, and socially connected.
Starting this year, the program, now called Sports Vouchers Plus, will allow children from Reception to Year 9 to receive double the support, with two $100 vouchers per calendar year. This means families can claim up to $200 in vouchers each year, giving kids more opportunities to participate in a range of activities.
For the first time, the program will also include music lessons and active recreation, with the hope to get young people involved in their communities and away from screens. This expansion was announced as part of the 2024-25 State Budget, with $54.6 million allocated over four years to fund the initiative.
Since its launch in 2015, the Sports Vouchers program has evolved to support not just traditional sports but also dance, learn-to-swim programs, and Scouts and Guides. Now, with music lessons added, more families will be able to access affordable opportunities for their children to explore the arts, such as through local music programs like Theatre Bugs.
Theatre Bugs has been part of the program since 2019 when dance was included, and the addition of music is expected to further boost participation in their musical programs. Over 2,200 vouchers have already been used for programs at Theatre Bugs, and the expansion is set to attract even more young participants.
“We are thrilled about the inclusion of music lessons in the Sports Vouchers Plus program,” Michael Eustice, Managing Director, Theatre Bugs, said. “This initiative makes music more accessible to families, while giving children the chance to build creativity, confidence, and life skills.
“Since 2019, Sports Vouchers have been a game-changer for us, allowing thousands of children to discover the joy of performing arts in an affordable and accessible way.”
In 2024, the program saw its most successful year yet, with over 95,000 vouchers claimed. Since it began, more than 697,000 vouchers have been used, totalling $58.85 million in support for South Australian families.
Families can claim their vouchers by visiting www.sportsvouchers.sa.gov.au.
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