Apply to be an Active and Creative Kids voucher provider

Introduction

The Active and Creative Kids voucher program will provide two $50 vouchers each calendar year to eligible parents, guardians and carers of school-aged children.

The vouchers:

• will be available 
  • twice a year, starting from February 2024
  • to eligible parents, guardians and carers receiving a Family Tax Benefit
• can be used for eligible active or creative activities with registered providers
• must be redeemed before the expiry date on the voucher.

Apply now to accept vouchers

If you're approved as an Active and Creative Kids provider, you can accept and redeem vouchers through the Service NSW Business Bureau app.

Eligibility

To apply on behalf of your organisation, you must be authorised to act on its behalf and be one of the following:

• Associate (such as partner, director, sole trader or public officer) as listed on the Australian Business Register (ABR).
• Officeholder (such as director or secretary) as registered with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.
• Other person with authority of any of the above to carry out functions on behalf of a business/entity.

To register as a provider, you must:

• operate in NSW
• have a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN)
  Note: If you do not have an ABN:
  • if you're part of a parent organisation, check if they have applied to register and if they can list your location under their registration
  • call 13 77 88 to speak with a Service NSW Business Concierge about taking part in the program.
• offer an eligible activity
• be appropriately skilled and hold the right type of experience, accreditation and qualifications for all eligible activities provided
• require all staff, contractors and volunteers involved in the program have a current, verified Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• have completed the Office of the Children’s Guardian’s Child Safe e-Learning Module and be able to demonstrate a commitment to the Child Safe Standards
• hold current Certificates of Currency for professional indemnity and public liability insurance policies appropriate to the type and level of eligible activities being delivered
• comply with the Active and Creative Kids Voucher program guidelines and terms and conditions.

Activities that are eligible

The activity must be either a creative or physical activity that:

• is offered privately or in a group
• is provided to children as part of a structured, supervised program
• is in person and face-to-face
• has a structured component, if part of a membership, fee-based program (such as a gym or club)
• does not provide material or only provides activity-linked material
• is an eligible activity, listed in Appendix A of the guidelines.

Activities that are not eligible

Providers cannot redeem vouchers for:

• activities offered by a school, such as before and after school care services, tutoring, cookery classes, or gardening
• travel associated with an eligible activity
• exams or assessments for qualifications
• virtual or online programs
• items, equipment and materials such as jerseys, socks, boots, art kits, craft kits, paints, books, stationery, canvases, clothing, uniforms, leotards, and instruments
• ineligible activities listed in Appendix B of the guidelines.

Note: If you are a provider with an interstate location on the NSW border or an online provider, Service NSW will review applications in line with the requirements of the program guidelines.

What you need

Before you start

A MyServiceNSW Account – you can create one when you start your application.

Personal details

2 personal identity documents such as an Australian driver licence, Medicare card or Australian passport for the person applying on behalf of the provider.

Provider details

• name, address, phone number and ABN
  Note: your identity document name details must match the name details held with the Australian Business Register for your ABN – if these details do not match, a Letter of Authority must be provided. 
• WWCC number if you are a sole trader or your WWCC employer registration for organisations with employees, contractors and/or volunteers
  Note: If you are registered and cannot find your employer registration number you can ask for your number by completing the online form with your email address, organisation name and ABN.
• insurance details including name of insurer, policy number, expiry date and Certificate of Currency
• 2 of the following documents in the name of your business or organisation, ready for uploading as a PDF, JPG, JPEG, GIF or PNG file:
  • utility bill (electricity, gas, water, phone or internet)
  • bank statement
  • most recently lodged tax file record
  • business activity statement (BAS) or
  • business registration certificate.
• Australian bank account details for payment of voucher reimbursements.

Activity details

• activity type, location and provider website details
  • if you have large number of locations, you can upload a csv file with the details of your locations
  • you can choose to display details in the 'Find a provider' tool
  • program details including activity, outcomes, fees and timetable.

Staff details

• documents demonstrating relevant industry experience of all staff, contractors and/or volunteers who will work with children to deliver the eligible activities including:
  • Working with Children Check (WWCC) number
  • for swimming teachers, full name, date of birth and licence or accreditation number and name of accreditation body, such as AustSwim, Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia (SCTA), Swimming Australia or Royal Life Saving.

Accepting vouchers

To scan and accept vouchers 

You'll need a phone or tablet linked to the Service NSW Business Bureau app to accept and redeem vouchers. 

To accept vouchers online

You'll need to integrate your website and POS system with a Service NSW Application Programming Interface (API). Service NSW will provide API details to businesses accepted into the program.

Experience and qualifications

At any time, providers may be asked to show evidence that demonstrates experience relevant to the eligible activity, such as tertiary qualifications, training, accreditation or industry recognition, or cultural experience evidence.

How to apply

1. Check you meet the eligibility requirements.
2. Gather the required documents with your:
   1. provider details and have them ready for uploading as a PDF, JPG, JPEG, GIF or PNG file
   2. activity details and staff details for input into the online application form
3. Select the 'Apply online' button.
   Note: You can save and resume your application within 14 days. After that time any details you've entered will be deleted.
4. Log in or create your MyServiceNSW Account.
   Note: Your Service NSW Business Profile is attached to your MyServiceNSW Account.
5. Follow the prompts to apply for the program.
6. You’ll receive a confirmation email with details of your application (please check your junk mail folder).

Multiple locations

If your business or organisation operates from multiple locations in NSW, you can choose to either add location details one-by-one or bulk-upload them as a list using a CSV file template we'll provide to you during application.

What happens next

• Your application will be reviewed.
• We'll contact you if we need more information. 
• You'll receive an email with the outcome of your application.
• Registered providers can accept and redeem vouchers from customers.

Uploading files

To prepare your documents for uploading when you apply:

• your documents must be saved as PDF, JPG, JPEG, GIF or PNG files
• each document must be less than 7MB in size
• the documents must be clear and easy to read
• document file names can include letters, numbers, hyphens and underscores, but not special characters. 

More information

• We'll provide successful providers with full details on how to take part and promote the program.
• You will be able to keep track of voucher payments to your business in your Service NSW Business Profile or Service NSW Business Bureau app.
• The person who applied on behalf of your organisation will be able to add other nominated contacts to a group in your Service NSW Business Profile. The group will receive a list of voucher transactions weekly.