If you have kids in sport, dance, music or art classes, this voucher is one of the easiest ways to cut your family’s activity costs. Round 2 for 2026 has just opened, so now is the time to check what you’re eligible for and get your voucher sorted before term 3 activities book out.
Here in the Hunter, we see this voucher used everywhere from swimming lessons in Mayfield to dance classes in Lake Macquarie and coding clubs in Maitland. Below is everything you need to know, updated for the current round.
What is the Active and Creative Kids Voucher
The NSW Government combined the old Active Kids and Creative Kids programs into one scheme. Every eligible child now gets access to two $50 vouchers a year, and each voucher can be used for either an active activity (sport, fitness, dance) or a creative one (music, art, coding, drama). You choose how to use each voucher, so a family could use one for swimming lessons and the other for piano lessons in the same year.
The voucher is issued through Service NSW and redeemed directly with a registered activity provider.
Is My Child Eligible
Your child needs to be a NSW resident aged between 4.5 and 18 years old. On top of that, your family needs to receive Family Tax Benefit Part A, Family Tax Benefit Part B, or both. This includes families with kids who are home-schooled or enrolled in secondary studies through TAFE NSW.
If you’re not sure whether you receive the right payment, Service NSW checks this automatically when you apply, so it’s worth applying even if you’re not certain.
Current Voucher Rounds and Key Dates
Here’s where things stand right now, in July 2026.
| Voucher | Applications Open | Apply and Use By | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voucher 1 – 2026 | 15 January 2026 | 31 December 2026 | Open now |
| Voucher 2 – 2026 | 15 July 2026 | 30 July 2027 | Just opened |
| Voucher 2 – 2025 | Already open | 14 July 2026 | Expired, no longer usable |
If you still had a 2025 voucher sitting unused, it’s now expired. The good news is Voucher 2 for 2026 has just landed, so you can apply straight away and use it for anything running through the second half of the year, including school holiday programs.
We’ll keep this table updated every time a new round opens, so bookmark this page rather than searching for it again next term.
Eligible Active Activities
The active side of the voucher covers sport and physical activity. Popular choices in our area include swimming, football, netball, gymnastics, martial arts, dance, tennis, rugby league, basketball and yoga. Circus arts and choreography classes also qualify, which surprises a lot of parents.
Looking for ideas for which sport suits your child best? Our Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter kids sports guide runs through age-appropriate options across the region, including where to find trial sessions.
Eligible Creative Activities
The creative side is broader than most people expect. It covers the obvious ones like music lessons, drawing and painting, but also coding, robotics, game design, drama, creative writing, languages and photography. Cultural programs, including Aboriginal cultural knowledge activities, also qualify.
If you’re weighing up options for the school holidays, our school holiday activities guide has plenty of creative and active programs that accept the voucher.
How to Apply and Claim Your Voucher
Applying is done entirely through Service NSW. You can apply online through the Active and Creative Kids Voucher portal, or in person at a Service NSW centre where staff can help you through the self-service kiosks.
Once you have your voucher, you give the code directly to your chosen activity provider at registration. They apply the $50 discount to your fees. You don’t need to pay upfront and claim it back.
Not every business accepts the voucher, so it’s worth checking with the provider first or searching the official activity provider finder before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If an activity costs more than $50, you can apply both your active and creative vouchers to the one activity, as long as the activity itself qualifies under either category.
No. The two programs were merged, so each child only receives two $50 vouchers per calendar year in total, not two of each type.
It simply expires and can’t be redeemed or extended. There’s no way to carry it over into the next round, so it pays to apply and book your activity as soon as a new round opens.
Yes, as long as the school holiday program is run by a registered provider and falls under an eligible active or creative category.
No. The program is specifically for sport, fitness, and creative or cultural activities. Academic tutoring isn’t an eligible category.
Yes. Home-schooled children and those enrolled in secondary education through TAFE NSW are eligible under the same age and Family Tax Benefit rules as other NSW students.
Stretching Your Family Budget Further
The voucher is a great start, but most families are juggling more than one activity fee at a time. If you’re looking for more ways to save, our Money Saving Guides for Australian Families are a great start.