LOCAL families will again benefit from financial support to help children stay active, with the next round of the Get Active Kids program offering $200 vouchers to eligible families.
The initiative aims to make organised sport and recreation more affordable for families feeling cost-of-living pressures, encouraging children to get involved in local clubs and activities this summer.
Backed by a $15 million investment in the 2025/26 Victorian Budget, the program is expected to provide more than 65,000 vouchers over the next two years. Each voucher can be used to cover the cost of sporting memberships, registration fees, uniforms and equipment at approved activity providers across Victoria.
Since it began in 2020, nearly 190,000 vouchers have been issued, helping thousands of children take part in sports ranging from soccer and basketball to swimming, dance, and martial arts. Surveys show that more than half of participating families would have struggled to afford sporting costs without the program, while almost one in five children joined a sports club for the first time using a voucher.
The program includes more than 70 recognised sports and 2,300 activity providers statewide, ensuring children in both metropolitan and regional areas have access to opportunities that support fitness, friendship and community connection.
To qualify, children must be 18 years or under, named on both a Medicare Card and a Commonwealth Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card. A special consideration stream is also available for children in care, temporary or provisional visa holders, migrants and international students.
Families can apply for vouchers online from Wednesday at getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers, where they can either redeem the value directly with a participating provider or apply for reimbursement of up to $200 per child.
A second round of the Get Active Kids program will open early next year, continuing the effort to ensure financial pressures don’t stop Victorian children from enjoying the physical and social benefits of sport.
