Covid NSW: Parents get early access to $250 holiday, recreation vouchers

The state government has brought forward by a month the $250 voucher scheme for parents to spend on accommodation, entertainment and recreation, live music and the arts.

A $250 voucher to encourage families to book a holiday, visit a zoo or wildlife park or go to the cinema will be able to be accessed from Monday.

The NSW government has ­decided to bring forward the scheme by a month.

Under the scheme, every household with a child aged from 4½ to 18 years who was enrolled in school last year will be able to apply for five $50 Parent NSW vouchers to spend on accommodation, entertainment and recreation, live music and the arts.

The vouchers, which will be able to be accessed via the Service NSW app, were originally to have gone live in March.

The government estimates about one million families will benefit from the vouchers, which are designed to help businesses impacted by Covid-19.

The vouchers will be able to be used seven days a week, including public holidays at businesses already participating in the Dine and Discover program.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet’s government. Picture: Christian Gilles/NCA NewsWire

Separately, the government has also brought forward access to its $50 Stay NSW vouchers which will be available to everyone aged 18 and over to pay for accommodation from February 21.

The voucher scheme is specifically targeted at the tourism and accommodation sector which has suffered as a result international border closures along with the intermittent closures of state borders.

The government hopes the initiative will encourage people to travel across NSW, stimulating local economies as they spend money on meals, entertainment, parking, transport and other related goods and services.

Stay NSW will provide one $50 voucher to every NSW adult to redeem at eligible accommodation providers throughout the State with access rolled out progressively.

How to register your positive RAT result

Most states now provide an online form where you can register a positive Rapid Antigen Test result.

In some states, registration for positive for Rapid Antigen Test is complulsory. You will need to register the result or face a fine.

Here’s how to do it in the states where it is available.

• Register in Victoria

• Register in New South Wales

• Register in Queensland

• Register in South Australia

• Register in Northern Territory

• Register in Tasmania

 

The scheme, which replaces the previous CBD-focused Stay & Rediscover program, allows for voucher-holders to pool their credits in the same booking, such as two adults staying together.

However, Parents NSW and Stay NSW vouchers will not be able to be pooled.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the vouchers were a way of thanking parents for their homeschooling efforts last year, while helping local business.

“Parents have persevered and balanced a variety of challenges as a result of home learning, and we are grateful for their hard work and sacrifices,” he said.

“These vouchers are a double win as they encourage families to get out and enjoy the best of our state, while also providing much needed income to businesses affected by the pandemic.”

Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said people can apply to receive their vouchers via the Service NSW app, with only a quick scan required to reap the rewards.

“We’ve made the process as simple as possible so families can enjoy a much earned holiday or a visit to a discover venue,” he said.

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