Parents of school aged children in NSW will be given a $250 voucher from the state government as a “thank you” for their efforts juggling work and their children’s remote learning during lockdown.
The vouchers will be available for every household with school aged children and are to be spent on attractions and entertainment. They will become available through Service NSW from March to October 2022.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the vouchers were meant as a thank you gift for parents who maintained the children’s learning from home during the Delta outbreak.
“One of the biggest challenges for so many families during lockdowns was learning from home, and now as life returns to normal we want to encourage people to get out and boost economic activity,” Perrottet said.
“In many senses this is a ‘thank you’ that will go some small way towards helping family finances that took a big hit and at the same time supporting businesses and jobs.”
The vouchers are part of the NSW government’s economic recovery package, that also includes $500 million for an expansion of Dine & Discover vouchers, and a Stay and Rediscover accommodation voucher.
Other states are also providing incentives in the wake of lockdowns. Here’s a rundown of what’s on offer:
Victoria
In Victoria, the state government previously launched its Regional Travel Voucher Scheme in 2020, giving Victorians an incentive to travel in the state. The previous allocations of the vouchers have been exhausted, but the government has announced that 80,000 new regional travel vouchers will be added the scheme soon (no word as to an exact date yet), as restrictions ease across the state.
The vouchers give recipients the right to claim a reimbursement of $200 if they have spent at least $400 on accommodation, experiences, tours or attractions for a minimum 2 nights in paid accommodation in regional Victoria, the Yarra and Dandenon Ranges or the Mornington Peninsula.
More information here: www.vic.gov.au/regional-travel-voucher-scheme
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory government is offering Territorians aged 18+ a Territory Tourism Voucher, similar to Victoria’s scheme. The vouchers, now in their fourth round, give Territorians vouchers worth $200 – redeemable on a $1 for $1 basis. They can be used on tourism experiences in the Top End, Red Centre, Katherine and Barkley regions.
More information here: https://www.tourismnt.com.au/marketing/domestic-marketing/current-campaigns/territory-tourism-voucher
Tasmania
Following the recent 3-day lockdown in South Tasmania, the state government announced an extension of its Travel Vouchers Tasmania scheme, pushing it out until Sunday 7th November 2021.
Tasmanians aged 18 and over are eligible to redeem up to $300 of their accommodation, tours and attraction visits across various parts of the state.
More information here: https://www.travelvoucherstasmania.com.au/home
The Tassie Holiday Voucher program will also be offered to residents from South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland to incentivise travel to Tasmania during November and December. More information here: https://www.tourismtasmania.com.au/news/category/tourism-tasmania/tassie-holiday-voucher-program
Queensland
The Queensland government has launched a new campaign called ‘Great Queensland Getaway’, with Queenslanders able to book heavily discounted holidays and travel inside the state, with some flights, experiences and accommodation available for up to half their original price.
Queenslanders should get in quick as thse deals end 6pm AEST October 31, or until sold out.
More information here: https://www.queensland.com/au/en/great-queensland-getaway
Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT have each provided residents with their own tourism and experiences vouchers this year, but the campaigns are currently closed.