- KidSport vouchers now available for biological
children of foster and family carers in WA
- Cook Government providing additional relief for
parents who care for children
- KidSport also extended to include at-risk youth who
are part of the Target 120 Program
Western Australians who
foster or care for children alongside their biological children will be able to
get KidSport vouchers for all 5-to 18-year-olds in their family, the Cook
Government has announced.
The aim of KidSport vouchers is to support children from low-income
families to participate in community sport. KidSport vouchers can be
used at more than 2,000 clubs State-wide to cover registration fees, and essential uniforms and playing equipment.
The KidSport voucher
amount was increased to up to $500 per eligible child for the 2024-25 financial
year to help ease cost of living pressures on Western Australian families.
KidSport is generally open to families who hold a health care or
pensioner concession card, however, eligibility has been extended to include a
Special Consideration category.
Since August 2023 the
vouchers have been more accessible for foster children. Now biological children
of foster and family carers will also qualify for KidSport.
Additionally, there will
be support for at-risk youth by extending KidSport to include the Target 120
Program. Target 120 works across local organisations, service providers,
government agencies and the community. The program support young people at risk
of becoming repeat offenders by connecting them and their families with
tailored services.
Since KidSport kicked off
in 2011, a massive $49.8 million has been given out through the program. More
than 325,000 vouchers have gone to more than 122,000 children, with the most
popular five sports being Australian Rules Football, Netball, Football (Soccer),
Basketball and Gymnastics. KidSport vouchers are also for activities such as Calisthenics,
Cricket, Wheelchair Rugby, Tennis, Swimming, and more.
KidSport is open to
eligible children aged 5 to 18 years old. For more information visit the
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) website www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/kidsport or contact the team at kidsport@dlgsc.wa.gov.au.
See the Department
of Communities website for further details about becoming a foster carer: https://www.fostercare.wa.gov.au
Comments attributed to
Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
"We
understand it's tough financially for many families right now and we don't want
children to miss out on sport, which plays a
huge role in keeping kids mentally healthy, physically active and connected
with their community.
"The Cook Government's initiative to
increase the KidSport voucher amount to $500 per eligible child for this
financial year is really important to help cover the costs of club registration
and essential uniform and playing equipment.
"KidSport has
had such a positive influence on so many Western Australian children to date
and we're proud to extend the eligibility criteria to biological children of
foster parents.
"We
will continue to look at ways to make the KidSport vouchers accessible to more
children in need, through the Special Consideration category."
Comments attributed to
Child Protection and Community Services Minister Sabine Winton:
"The Cook Government is
committed to supporting the incredible foster and family carers in our
community, who have an important role supporting our State's most vulnerable
children and young people.
"Extending the
eligibility criteria for Kidsport vouchers is just another example of how much
our Government values and recognises foster and family carers.
"I am proud that
biological children of family and foster carers will now have increased access
to sport programs, providing further relief to foster and family carer
families.
"As someone who is
passionate about sport, I know how important playing sport is and the benefits
it can provide such as getting active and connecting with others.
"That's why I am so happy
that young people in the Target 120 Program will also be supported to engage in
local community sport."
