NSW families to receive a $500 childcare voucher from today

Families with children in primary school will receive a $500 voucher today to put towards before and after school care. Here’s how you can redeem yours.

Managing before and after school care costs will become a little easier with a new NSW Government $500 voucher scheme being rolled out today.

The $155 million Before and After School Care voucher program aims to support parents, families and small-medium businesses in the childcare sector, as Australians return to work and school.

WHAT IS THE BASC VOUCHER PROGRAM?

The BASC Program provides families with one $500 voucher per child, to reduce the childcare out-of-pocket costs. The NSW Department of Education has partnered with Service NSW to deliver the program.

“(The vouchers) will provide each child with around 60 sessions of free BASC,” a Service NSW spokesperson said.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said “many (parents) have had to juggle the demands of supervising their kids’ education at home while working remotely, or even foregoing paid work.”

Education and Early Learning Minister Sarah Mitchell hopes this new scheme will alleviate the childcare burden on NSW families.

“These vouchers are all about providing affordable access to care for families, particularly after a tough two years that have disrupted access to school and BASC,” Ms Mitchell said.

Parents of primary school children are now eligible for a $500 childcare voucher.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

The BASC voucher is available for all primary school children aged four to 13, including those students who have started kindergarten in 2022.

“Unlike Parents NSW, dual households cannot apply for two vouchers per child,” the Service NSW spokesperson said.

I AM A CHILDCARE PROVIDER, CAN I APPLY?

BASC providers are also able to apply for the vouchers. Providers can visit the Service NSW website to clarify their eligibility and apply.

WHEN CAN I APPLY?

You can apply for a voucher from today until 30 September 2022. BASC providers that are eligible are also able to apply up until this date.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Families can apply via their MyServiceNSW account, through the Service NSW app, or at their local Service NSW Centre.

To apply via the Service NSW app, log into your Service NSW App account, then select the Vouchers tab.

You will then have to select the ‘Browse’ tab, followed by the ‘Find out more’ option on the ‘Before and After School Care’ section.

This will then take you to the Service NSW website where you will have to click the red Apply online button.

Fill out the form and follow the website prompts.

HOW DO I ACCESS MY VOUCHER?

In similar fashion to the Dine & Discover Program, you can access your BASC voucher via the Service NSW app.

Log into your Service NSW App account, then select the Vouchers tab.

If you are eligible for the voucher or have successfully applied, the voucher will appear in the My Vouchers section.

Select the Before and After School Care item and your unique QR code will appear.

WHEN CAN I REDEEM MY VOUCHER?

You can redeem your before and after school care voucher from today, up until 31 December 2022. Scan the QR code with your provider or use your unique voucher code to redeem.

WHERE CAN I ACCESS MORE INFORMATION?

For more information, visit the Service NSW website.