How to get extra cash as kids’ sport costs rise for Australians
Aussies are pulling kids out of sport to balance their budget — or they are cutting back to ensure they can play. See how you can access support vouchers.
National
Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Exclusive: Two in five families have either pulled their kids out of sport, or are thinking about it, due to rising costs.
While half of all families are having to make sacrifices in their household budget in order to pay for their children’s sporting activities.
It comes as parents report that associated fees, registrations and travel costs have all gone up, making it increasingly difficult to afford, according to a new survey by UNICEF Australia.
The poll found Queenslanders are the most concerned about the cost of their kid’s extra-curricular activities with almost half considering stopping it because of the cost, while parents in South Australia are least concerned, with only a third thinking about pulling their child out of activities.
More parents in NSW than in any other state said that lesson costs have increased and it is the biggest prohibitor for their child doing sport.
While more than one in five parents in Victoria said they are very concerned about household expenses and live on a strict budget, with around half saying they live pay cheque to pay cheque.
Mum-of-three Leah Lynch, 41, said she and her husband Glenn, also 41, have cutback on takeaways and make packed lunches every day in order to pay for their kids’ sport.
But they said despite the sacrifices “something will have to give” next year.
Taylor, 8, Mackenzie, 6, and Tilly, 3, all take dance lessons, while the older two have signed up to other sports including cheerleading, with the uniform setting them back $500 per child, soccer or netball and T-ball.
“With cheerleading, there’s also the ribbons and T-shirts, it’s definitely a more expensive sport than we first thought,” Ms Lynch, a Sydney school finance officer said.
“Taylor has qualified for the nationals so we have to travel too.
“We also need two cars because the kids often need to be dropped off in opposite directions or at different times.
“We’ve definitely seen an increase in travel costs due to petrol prices.”
Mr Lynch said he’s even noticed the cost of the canteen food has risen significantly, which bites into their household budget.
While they use government sports vouchers when they can, it’s getting more expensive.
UNICEF Australia Deputy Director Libby Hodgson said most states and territories have sports voucher schemes that are run by the governments, but not everyone is aware of them, especially socially disadvantaged groups.
She urged parents to investigate their eligibility for any sports voucher scheme and make use of those programs to help with the costs.
UNICEF Ambassador and Australian Cricket Captain Pat Cummins said sport was important “for building social bonds that are part of Australian life” and building self-confidence and social development.
“Every child should be able to access sports and physical activities they want to play,” Cummins said.
Ms Lynch said her three children love their sports and believe it is a good way of making friendships outside of school.
“You can see how much they love it, which is another reason why I don’t want to take them out,” she said.
WHERE TO GET GOVERNMENT SPORT VOUCHERS BY STATE
South Australian sport vouchers
More Coverage
Originally published as How to get extra cash as kids’ sport costs rise for Australians
Join the conversation
Warning after new case of deadly virus
A man has been hospitalised after being bitten by a mosquito carrying a potentially deadly virus, with health authorities delivering a fresh warning.
Read more
Major update on school phone ban
It’s been one year since phones were banned in schools and teachers have now revealed whether the tactic has been beneficial in improving children’s behaviour.
Read more